1. Recent rise in the importance of “corporate governance”
Recently, institutional investors are attracting attention as key role players in monitoring management and, with the formulation of “Japan’s Stewardship Code” in February 2014, there has been heated discussions concerning how they should exercise their voting rights. Lawyers are frequently asked to provide advice about institutional investors’ corporate governance activities including their voting because such matters involve legal issues such as the question of fiduciary responsibility.
2. We can offer support in addressing the corporate governance code, etc.
The “Corporate Governance Code,” which came into effect in June 2015, poses, as part of the government’s growth strategy, a task of securing “growth-oriented governance” that promotes healthy corporate entrepreneurship. In addressing the requirement of “comply or explain” with respect to each Principle presented by the Corporate Governance Code, it is necessary to have extensive knowledge of the best forms of corporate organization in order to establish a corporate governance structure sought by a company; therefore, lawyers are asked to provide advice on this area as well. Also, in this area, not only are we required to have knowledge of the latest laws (and in certain cases, to provide advice in light of the history and/or future trends of revisions to the law), but also it is essential to know practical trends and regulatory authorities’ policies.
3. Our active involvement in corporate governance reform is reflected in our advice
Our firm has ample experience in matters related to corporate governance from our long-term involvement in those matters. We also actively involve ourselves in recent corporate governance reform through participation in the activities of a specified non-profit corporation (CG-net) and secondment of our attorneys to regulatory authorities. Through such activities, our attorneys have obtained practical knowledge and experience and they keep themselves informed about the latest trends in corporate governance. Taking advantages of such resources, we strive to present our clients with the optimal solutions to respond to their practical needs based on our thorough legal research.
