Activism, Independence, Stewardship—Current Trends in U.S. and Japanese Corporate Governance

To register, please contact the Corporate Program at 212-715-1208 or email [email protected].

In 2014, the expectations for a new corporate governance regime in Japan reached a fever pitch under the Abe administration, with the unveiling of the stewardship code for institutional investors, the enactment of “comply or explain” rules for including outside directors on public company boards and promises for a broad corporate governance code. Meanwhile, in the United States, corporate boards are facing a new wave of shareholder activism, calls for more director-shareholder engagement and a growing influence of proxy advisory firms. This panel discussion will address current trends in Japan and U.S. corporate governance, including: how the recent corporate governance initiatives will affect Japanese boards; what ideas Japanese directors can gain from U.S. best practices; and what threats U.S. activist shareholders might bring to Japan.

Speakers:
Michael Davis, Partner, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Amane Fujimoto, Deputy Director, Corporate Accounting and Disclosure Division, Planning and Coordination Bureau, Financial Services Agency
Curtis J. Milhaupt, Parker Professor of Comparative Corporate Law, Fuyo Professor of Japanese Law and Director of the Center for Japanese Legal Studies, Columbia University
Masaki Sekimoto, Associate, Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu NY LLP

Moderator:
Hiroshi Sugiyama, Associate, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

AGENDA
8:00 – 8:30 am    Registration & buffet breakfast
8:30 – 10            Lecture, Panel Discussion and Q&A

Admission:
This is a free event. However, you must register in advance in order to confirm your seat for the lecture.

Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.

For further information or assistance, please contact the Corporate Program at 212-715-1208 or email [email protected].