New Leadership of ACGA Japan Working Group

2021-05-12

The Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA), an independent research and advocacy non-profit based in Hong Kong, is delighted to announce the election of new leaders for its Japan Working Group (JWG):

          • Mr Kei Okamura, Director of Japan Investment Stewardship, Neuberger Berman, Tokyo as Chair; and
          • Ms Aina Fukuda, ESG Manager Japan, Legal & General Investment Management, Tokyo as Deputy Chair

The JWG is a sub-group of ACGA investor members comprised of like-minded professionals committed to advancing corporate governance and investment stewardship in Japan on behalf of their organisations.

The group was set up in 2016 as a platform for ACGA investor members to participate more actively in corporate governance and ESG issues pertinent to Japan and to help shape ACGA’s policy and advocacy work in this important market. The JWG comprises 29 ACGA member organisations with global assets under management of more than US$20 trillion (as of December 2020).

Kei and Aina made the following comments:

Kei Okamura: “I believe that corporate governance in Japan is at an inflection point and that the changes we expect to see over the next several years will have lasting effects on the sustainable growth of companies in the mid- to long-term.

“To ensure that Japanese corporate governance continues to evolve in the right direction, I believe ACGA and the JWG can play a crucial role as a thought-leader showcasing best practices and a facilitator of constructive engagement, not only with companies but other key institutions such as regulators, NGOs and other stakeholders.”

Aina Fukuda: “It has been a pleasure to be part of the ACGA and the JWG, and I look forward to giving back to the group at this pivotal time.

“I will bring my passion and background in advising and pushing Japanese companies to address material governance, environmental, and social issues so that we can continue to collaborate towards the shared goal of supporting Japanese companies remain competitive and fit to navigate through today’s uncertain business environment.”

We very much look forward to working with Kei and Aina to advance JWG’s engagement with regulators, listed companies and other key stakeholders in Japan over 2021 and 2022. Both will serve for a term of two years.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Gerard Fehrenbach, Senior Adviser Responsible Investment, PGGM Investments, The Netherlands for acting as the first Chair of JWG over 2016 to 2020. Gerard was instrumental in helping to establish JWG, organised member delegations to Japan during his tenure and contributed to ACGA advocacy submissions. Our sincere thanks.

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