Based on interest from participants overseas, BDTI held its English Director Boot Camp via teleconference on January 19th. The day-long intensive course was attended by highly-experienced and highly interactive participants all the way from Hong Kong, Papua New Guinia to Europe. The participants heard lectures about corporate governance by Nicholas Benes and there were lots of interactive discussion and Q&A about real-life situations on Japanese boards, and how to handle them. You get even more in the additional materials we provide in your thick binder.
Month: January 2024
【Metrical】Percentage of Female Board Members Is a Measure of a Company’s Seriousness About Improving Its Practices
Following the previous analysis of the ratio of independent directors, here is an analysis of the ratio of female board members. As you know, the Japanese government has set a target of increasing the ratio of female board members ( board directors, statutory executive officers, and statutory auditors) to 30% by 2030 for companies listed on the prime market. Using data from the Metrical Universe at the end of September, I will examine the characteristics of each group in terms of the ratio of female board members.
Of the 1,781 companies in the Metrical Universe at the end of September, 74 (4.2%) have achieved a ratio of 30% or more female directors. The government and TSE have also set an intermediate goal of appointing at least one female board member by 2025. 1,567 (88%) of the 1,781 companies in the Metrical Universe at the end of September have at least one female board member. The 1,781 companies in the Metrical universe also include companies listed outside the prime market. It also includes companies like Canon that are expected to appoint female board members at future AGMs, so it is likely that the majority of prime market listed companies will have appointed female board members by 2025.
Aptly Titled, a Great Book to Read About “Whither Japan?”
This being New Year’s Day, I will recommend one book to read in 2024 to learn about not only about the challenges that Japan faces, but how the country is evolving to cope with them (and even thrive) in the global economy. Richard hits the nail on the head in many ways, but to summarize a major theme; if Japan is to fare better during next 15years than its past 25 years would seem to indicate, it will not be because the business models and management thinking of its large firms are simply updated.