The Evolution of Corporate Governance in Japan (Routledge Studies in Corporate Governance)

By examining several key variables concerning corporate governance, Miyajima and Arikawa examine the evolutionary process of corporate governance arrangements in Japan from the 2000s to the early 2020s.

Japanese corporate governance has become more market-oriented and this book illustrates the impact of the change on corporate behavior including business diversification, restructuring, and corporate misconduct. This volume looks at how Japanese firms have evolved from cross-shareholding between firms and banks to a more shareholder-oriented system, with an expanding role for outside directors and, more importantly, large holdings by institutional shareholders (including activist and buyout funds). The notion of hybridization, which is one of the key concepts of this book, enhances the understanding of the evolution of corporate governance in Japan. As financial markets continue to globalize and institutional shareholders gain influence, firms in in civil law jurisdictions or coordinated market economies may find the book’s discussion of hybridization of interest.

An essential read for scholars in finance, management and organization as well as market participants and lawyers who wish to understand the current Japanese economy from a practical perspective.

Hideaki Miyajima is a Professor at Faculty of Commerce, Waseda University and a Faculty Fellow at the Researc Institute of Economy, Trade, and Industry. His work appeared in the Review of Financial Studies and Journal of Banking and Finance. He published several edited volumes such as Corporate Governance in Japan.

Yasuhiro Arikawa is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Commerce, Waseda University. His research has been published in academic journals such as the Journal of Banking and Finance.