The Panel for Vitalizing Financial and Capital Markets* has released its recommendations. (*Chairman, Takatoshi ITO Professor, Graduate School of Economics, The University of Tokyo). The tentative English Translation can be found at this link: http://www.fsa.go.jp/en/refer/councils/vitalizing/20131213/01.pdf
Month: December 2013
(FSA) “Administrative Actions against Mizuho Bank Co., Ltd. and Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.”
Based on the results of the inspection of Mizuho Bank Co., Ltd and Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. conducted by the Financial Services Agency (hereinafter referred to as the “FSA”) and the reports submitted by Bank, the FSA today took the following administrative actions against Mizuho Bank Co., Ltd and Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. in order to ensure sound and appropriate business operations.
[ Available at: http://www.fsa.go.jp/en/news/2013/20131226-1.html ]
Ireland’s Central Bank to Push for More Women on Boards
”New rules being examined by Ireland’s Central Bank may require banks and insurers to appoint more women to their boards.
Holly Gregory: “International Developments in Corporate Governance”
Excerpt from article: Recently, the OECD has begun the process of considering updates to the OECD Principles. The OECD’s discussions will help frame the future of corporate governance-related reform efforts around the globe. It will likely echo the significant interest in Europe and other parts of the world in:
Turkey “How Is the First-Time Used Electronic General Meeting System Received?”
Excerpt: Investors Are Generally Content With the System –
As for investors’ reaction, comments from investors conveyed to our association note mostly that e-GEM system is an easy way of voting. It wouldn’t be wrong to say, at least on the basis of comments we received, that “investors are content”.
MoFo Client Alert: “The Brazilian Clean Companies Act – What You Need to Know”
Excerpt: On January 29, 2014, the Brazilian Clean Companies Act (CCA) will enter into force. The CCA is an aggressive and broadly drafted piece of legislation which represents a firm statement of intent from the Brazilian government to align itself with global trends and tackle corruption head on. Brazil is an important trading partner for many UK companies and the reverse is also true.1 Companies doing business in Brazil should take note of the CCA and ensure that their existing compliance controls and procedures respond appropriately to its particular features.
ISS’ New “Benchmark Policy Consultation” for Japan and Other Countries
On ISS' web site: Each year, the ISS Global Policy Board invites all financial market participants to provide feedback on proposed updates to ISS' benchmark proxy voting guidelines prior to releasing our final updates in November. In conjunction with the release of our 2014 policy updates on Nov. 21, we are opening a new consultation period on ISS' policy approaches to certain policies for consideration for longer term policy changes (beyond 2014).
Trace “Global Enforcement Report” on Anti-Corruption Enforcement
Excerpt from introduction: Unfortunately, little data is consistently available on the pace of, and trends in, international anti-bribery enforcement, although such information is essential to understanding the extent to which countries are enforcing their anti-bribery statutes and encouraging greater transparency in global business. TRACE publishes the Global Enforcement Report (GER) annually to meet this need.
BDTI’s Next English “Director Boot Camp”, February 20th, 2014
This one-dayintensive program teaches participants the key legal and corporate governance knowledge they need to responsibly serve on, report to, or analyze boards of Japanese companies, both public and private. The course consists of short lectures interspersed with ample time for interactive discussion and questions-and-answers about real-life situations that occur on boards, and how to handle them. The course is usually good fun for everybody, since we all learn from each others' experiences, as well as from BDTI. The program will cover topics such as:
WSJ on “Bribes and Pensions in Japan: A Primer” – and Anti-Bribery Law
This could go bump in the dark. The WSJ: The arrests on bribery charges of two Japanese businessmen Thursday — an official running a pension fund affiliated with a blue-chip company, and a Deutsche Bank AG employee seeking his business — were rooted in the quirks of Japanese law, and its pension industry.