Investor Engagement
2026 Japan AGM Season Review (English Version)
Governance reform in Japan is entering a new phase
Whether you're preparing for your next AGM, engaging with investors, advising the board or navigating regulatory change, the 2026 Japan AGM Season Review provides the insights needed to understand the trends shaping Japan's corporate governance landscape.
This is more than a review of the AGM season. It's a snapshot of a market in transition.
What you'll learn
Activism volume remains high
Japan was the second most highly targeted market in the world after the US with its listed companies facing a number of high‑profile activist campaigns during the 2026 AGM season.
Contested resolutions
The category of board resolutions with the highest proportion of contested votes was director elections (246 resolutions), accounting for 89.1% of all contested board resolutions.
Proxy advisor influence
Proxy advisors continue to have a significant influence on voting totals, most clearly seen in the correlation between negative advisor recommendations and lower votes in support of key resolutions.
Corporate governance
Japan's corporate governance framework continues to evolve, with greater emphasis on capital efficiency, board effectiveness, transparency and long-term value creation.
Who should read this report?
Company secretaries preparing for complex AGMs- Investor relations teams managing shareholder sentiment
- Governance professionals
- Corporate advisors supporting strategic decision-making
Why you can't afford to miss it
This report is based on data from Nikkei 225 company AGMs held during 2026. It's the most comprehensive view available of how shareholder meetings are evolving and what's coming next. If you're making decisions that affects shareholders, this is a report worth reading.
