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À l’hiver 2015, le Japon a publié son nouveau code de gouvernance d’entreprise suite au lancement de la stratégie de revitalisation du Japon lancé en 2014. C’est le 1er juin 2015 que ce nouveau code est entré en vigueur.

Dès l’introduction, les mots sont lâchés : « In this Corporate Governance Code, “corporate governance” means a structure for transparent, fair, timely and decisive decision-making by companies, with due attention to the needs and perspectives of shareholders and also customers, employees and local communities ».

Quels principes retrouve-t-on énoncés ?

• Section 1: Securing the Rights and Equal Treatment of Shareholders
• Section 2: Appropriate Cooperation with Stakeholders Other Than Shareholders
• Section 3: Ensuring Appropriate Information Disclosure and Transparency
• Section 4: Responsibilities of the Board
• Section 5: Dialogue with Shareholders

Pour accéder au code de gouvernance intitulé « Japan’s Corporate Governance Code – Seeking Sustainable Corporate Growth and Increased Corporate Value over the Mid- to Long-Term » : cliquez ici.

Pour un commentaire accessible librement sur Internet, vous pourrez aller au lien suivant : ici (cabinet Jones Day). Petit morceau choisi :

The Code takes the « Principles-Based Approach » and « Comply or Explain Approach. » As such, the Code is not prescriptive, and certain principles are purposely drafted in general terms to leave flexibility. The Code expects companies to apply the spirit of the principles set forth under the Code, not follow literally the text of the principles as if they were statutory provisions. The Code leaves room for companies to consider what should work for them to achieve effective corporate governance, and it permits them to decide whether to comply with the principles under the Code or choose not to do so, with a proper explanation of the reasons for not doing so.

Finally, in order to better understand the Code, it is important to know unique features of the Companies Act of Japan, which provides for the three types of corporate governance structures for Japanese listed companies to choose: (i) a company with the board of kansayaku corporate auditors, (ii) a company with three committees (nominating, compensation, and audit committees), and (iii) a company with an audit committee with supervisory functions. Legally, these three types of governance structures are treated equally under Japanese law, and the Code is neutral as to these three governance structures. There are, however, a certain number of Code provisions that are intended to apply primarily to companies with the board of kansayaku corporate auditors since it is not required to have external directors or to have nomination or compensation committees.

Une année auparavant, le Japon par l’intermédiaire de sa Financial Services Agency avait publié son nouveau Stewardship Code (entré en vigueur le 7 avril 2014) : « “Principles for Responsible Institutional Investors” «Japan’s Stewardship Code» – To promote sustainable growth of companies through investment and dialogue ». Les 7 principes énoncés sont les suivants :

1. Institutional investors should have a clear policy on how they fulfill their stewardship responsibilities,and publicly disclose it.
2. Institutional investors should have a clear policy on how they manage conflicts of interest in fulfilling their stewardship responsibilities and publicly disclose it.
3. Institutional investors should monitorinvestee companies so that they can appropriately fulfill their stewardship responsibilities with an orientation towards the sustainable growth of the companies.
4. Institutional investors should seek to arrive at an understanding in common with investee companies and work to solve problems through constructive engagement with investee companies.
5. Institutional investors should have a clear policy on voting and disclosure of voting activity.The policy on voting should not be comprised only of a mechanical checklist; it should be designed to contribute to the sustainable growth of investee companies.
6. Institutional investors in principle should report periodically on how they fulfill their stewardship responsibilities,including their voting responsibilities,to their clients and beneficiaries.
7. To contribute positively to the sustainable growth of investee companies, institutional investors should have in-depth knowledge ofthe investee companies and their business environment and skills and resources needed to appropriately engage with the companies and make proper judgments in fulfilling their stewardship activities.

À la prochaine…

Ivan Tchotourian

Bonjour à toutes et à tous, les ACVM ont mis en œuvre à la fin avril l’Instruction générale 25-201 relative aux indications à l’intention des agences de conseil en vote. « L’instruction générale recommande des pratiques exemplaires conçues pour répondre aux préoccupations des participants au marché tout en reconnaissant le rôle important qu’exercent les agences de conseil en vote dans le processus de vote », a déclaré Louis Morisset, président des ACVM et président-directeur général de l’Autorité des marchés financiers. « Nous avons tenu compte du point de vue de toutes les parties prenantes, y compris les investisseurs institutionnels et les émetteurs, et estimons être parvenus à une solution satisfaisante. »

L’instruction générale fournit des indications aux agences de conseil en vote en matière de pratiques et de communication de l’information, afin de favoriser la transparence des services que celles-ci fournissent aux clients et d’aider les participants au marché à mieux comprendre leurs activités. Les indications portent sur la détermination, la gestion et l’atténuation des conflits d’intérêts réels ou potentiels, la transparence et l’exactitude des recommandations de vote, l’élaboration des lignes directrices en matière de vote par procuration, et les communications.

À la prochaine…

Ivan Tchotourian