The changing nature of financial disclosure in Japan

This paper investigates whether Japanese companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) altered their voluntary accounting disclosure behavior over the period of the 1990s. It implicitly tests for whether the collapse of Japan's “Financial Bubble” in the late 1980s altered the incentives of Japanese managers to be more forthcoming about corporate information. Previous research on Japanese disclosure practices highlights the “secretive” nature of Japanese managers and suggests that cultural preferences strongly discourage disclosure. Our findings suggest that Japanese disclosure practices are sensitive to economic conditions.     

Information Content of Internal Control Weaknesses: The Evidence from Japan

This paper investigates how capital markets in a code-law country, Japan, react to the disclosure of internal control weaknesses (ICW). The Japanese government attempted to implement a more concise, efficient, and, thus, less strict internal control reporting system than Section 404 of the US-SOX. In fact, for the first two years, the disclosure rate of ICW has been much lower in Japan than in the U.S. While market reactions to the disclosure of ICW are not significantly different from zero in our event study analysis, they become significantly negative after controlling for other information released around the disclosure date, audit quality, and other firm attributes. Our results are consistent with the notion that the disclosure of ICW is informative to the market because it is less frequent and exceptional in Japan.     

The Impact of Size,Stock Market Listing and Industry Type on Disclosure in the Annual Reports of Japanese Listed Corporations

This paper represents a contribution to rigorous testing of Japanese financial reporting and specifically reports on the impact of size, stock market listing and industry type on disclosure, both voluntary and mandatory, in the annual reports of Japanese listed corporations. The topic is of interest because findings in one country may not be applicable to Japan because of its so-called unique business environment and unique culture. It is found that size and listing status are important explanatory variables. In addition, manufacturing corporations were found to disclose significantly more information than other types of Japanese corporations. The interaction between industry type and quotation status was also found to be significant.     

“Big Bang” Accounting Reforms in Japan: Financial Analyst Earnings Forecast Accuracy Declines as the Japanese Government Mandates Japanese Corporations to Adopt International Accounting Standards

The mandated adoption of International Accounting Standards (IAS) for Japanese corporations did not result in improved earnings that forecast predictability. These findings contradict the research findings of Ashbaugh and Pincus (2001). Herrmann, Inoue, and Thomas’ (2003) research findings support the need for mandating the adoption of IAS. They found that Japanese managers were “manipulating” reported earnings by managing the sale of fixed assets and marketable securities. Adoption of IAS decreases the availability of this practice and it was and is expected to increase disclosure and transparency. Increased disclosure and transparency are expected to decrease financial analyst forecast errors, which did not decrease for 139 firms examined in this study for the timeframe of 1999–2002. This research finding does not support the idea that adoption of IAS improves financial information used in decision making relative to forecasting earnings. Assuming that increased predictability indicates higher quality reported earnings and enhanced usefulness of financial information, the mandated adoption of IAS did not result in these. Assuming that adoption of IAS in Japan increased the level of transparency and disclosure by Japanese firms, which made it harder for Japanese firms to manage their earnings in order to meet the managerial earnings forecasts that these firms must make. Thus, after the adoption of IAS in Japan, forecast errors for managerial forecasts of earnings increased. This evidence is new to the literature.     

Effects of audit partners on clients’ business risk disclosure

We empirically investigate audit engagement partners’ involvement in business risk disclosure. Specifically, we examine whether the quality of business risk disclosure is influenced by engagement partner tenure and knowledge. We also examine whether the effects of partner tenure and knowledge are similar for Big 4 audit firms and non-Big 4 firms. Since fiscal year 2003, listed companies in Japan have been required to disclose business risk information. Although the business risk information is not audited, auditors concerned about their audit quality may seek to influence clients’ business risk disclosure practices. Giving advice to management on the narrative business risk disclosure can contribute to improving the perceived value of the auditor’s services which can be a competitive advantage. Using a sample of Japanese listed companies from 2003 to 2010, we find that if the engagement partners’ tenure is shorter, a company discloses more business risk information and the disclosure is more detailed. Furthermore, companies with audit partners who have a larger number of client engagements disclose larger amounts of business risk information in more detail. However, the engagement partner effects are mitigated if they belong to a Big 4 firm.     

信息披露制度变迁与欺诈管制

在自愿信息披露制度下,资质优良、业绩不俗的公司有动力通过自愿信息披露突出自身竞争优势。本文具体分析了自愿信息披露行为作为一种信号传递机制必须满足的三个假设,即理性的管理者、知情投资者和真实信息披露;在自愿信息披露弱化的三种情况下,强制信息披露制度成为提升信息披露的必然手段,信息披露制度也由自愿向强制转变,但同时伴随信息披露制度的变迁产生了新的联合欺诈行为;因此,信息欺诈贯穿整个信息披露制度的变迁过程,无论强制披露制度还是自愿披露制度,其根本目的在于对信息欺诈的禁止,但欺诈并没有因制度的变迁而消失,所以解决信息欺诈的关键在于建立反欺诈管制,只有这样才能从根本上阻止信息欺诈的行为。     

The stockholders' equity section of a Japanese company: The Minolta Camera Company case

The focus of this case is on the stockholders' equity section of a Japanese firm. The financial statements and relevant footnote disclosures of the Minolta Camera Co., Ltd., are presented in order to illustrate certain reporting requirements mandated by the Japanese Commercial Code. This case is designed to achieve at least three objectives: First, an understanding and appreciation of the accounting history and disclosure requirements of Japan should be developed. Second, knowledge of the conceptual foundation of owners' equity should be strengthened. Third, the interrelationship between a nation's legal requirements and its effect on the stockholders' equity section of an entity should be enhanced. This case is designed for use in a financial accounting class at or above the intermediate level.     

Private disclosure and financial reporting

This article describes how large UK companies communicate with their institutional shareholders, and investigates how this private disclosure process relates to financial reporting. The article draws from case studies based on interviews with senior executives in 33 UK companies. Four insights into corporate disclosure arise from this case data. Firstly, a private disclosure process to institutional shareholders is outlined. Secondly, the private disclosure activity is recognised as a significant part of a larger corporate decision concerning public versus private voluntary disclosure. Thirdly, a range of factors are identified as encouraging private disclosure. These include the perceived limitations of financial reports (annual reports and interims), both as a disclosure mechanism in their own right and by comparison with private disclosure channels. Finally, despite these limitations, financial reports are recognised as a central component of a larger corporate disclosure system. The article therefore provides a novel insight in the role of financial reports in the larger corporate disclosure process, and ends by exploring new directions for research in financial reporting, including how the wider corporate disclosure system can be reformed in a systematic manner.     

美国寿险产品信息披露制度及其对中国的启示

本文首先介绍了美国寿险产品信息披露制度,并通过制度对比,分析了我国新型人身保险产品信息披露制度中存在的问题,最后从扩展信息披露功能、建立原则、加强管理、提升效率四个方面提出了完善我国寿险产品信息披露制度的建议。     

环境信息披露制度、公司治理和环境信息披露

企业环境信息披露体现了上市公司对环境信息披露制度的遵守和执行,同时增加了公众对上市公司行为的了解;反过来,这将促使上市公司改变他们的一些行为。本文在给出企业环境信息披露制度定义的基础上,采用我国重污染行业上市公司2006—2010年年报和独立报告中披露的环境信息进行实证研究,研究证明制度对企业环境信息披露有显著的正向关系,即环境信息披露法律法规的颁布及实施提高了企业环境信息披露水平;同时研究验证了公司治理具有增强制度对企业环境信息披露的促进作用。研究结果为《上市公司环境信息披露指南》的出台提供了证据支持、为完善企业环境信息披露制度的设计提供了经验证据。     

我国上市银行内部控制信息披露的国际借鉴与路径选择

上市商业银行内部控制信息披露是公开信息披露的核心和防范金融风险的第一道防线。近年来,美国上市银行的内部控制信息披露制度发生了巨大的变革,主要表现在内部控制信息披露由自愿向强制转变、进一步规范了内部控制信息披露的内容与格式、内部控制信息披露须经验证并由首席执行官和首席财务官宣誓保证及萨班斯法案的影响等。本文通过相关研究发现我国存在内部控制信息披露不规范、披露不充分及对内部控制信息披露的认识和理解不一致等问题。因此,建议我国应通过整章建制、以市场为主导及更新观念来分阶段、分步骤推进我国上市银行的内部控制信息披露制度。     

我国上市银行内部控制信息披露的国际借鉴与路径选择

上市商业银行内部控制信息披露是公开信息披露的核心和防范金融风险的第一道防线。近年来，美国上市银行的内部控制信息披露制度发生了巨大的变革，主要表现在内部控制信息披露由自愿向强制转变、进一步规范了内部控制信息披露的内容与格式、内部控制信息披露须经验证并由首席执行官和首席财务官宣誓保证及萨班斯法案的影响等。本文通过相关研究发现我国存在内部控制信息披露不规范、披露不充分及对内部控制信息披露的认识和理解不一致等问题。因此，建议我国应通过整章建制、以市场为主导及更新观念来分阶段、分步骤推进我国上市银行的内部控制信息披露制度。     

资本市场会计信息披露暨治理问题研究--基于上市公司会计信息披露不对称的视角

上市公司会计信息生产和披露质量直接影响了资本市场的稳定健康发展。资本市场会计信息生产和披露存在着一定的供求机理,直接影响了会计信息生产和披露的质量。由于管理主体上的虚化、内控弱化和治理结构上的偏差、会计信息系统的集成和共享性弱以及从业人员素质上的差异,使得上市公司会计信息披露存在着不充分性、非主动性、虚假性和滞后性问题,由此增加了资本市场信息不对称和风险发生的可能。因此,严厉打击资本市场会计信息造假,规范资本市场会计信息披露,需要进一步完善资本市场会计信息披露制度,创新和完善新技术背景下会计准则和会计制度,加强对现有上市公司会计信息生产和会计信息披露标准的制定和使用,提升上市公司会计信息生产和会计信息披露独立审计监督的标准化和规范化水平,加强上市公司会计信息生产和披露监督标准化体系建设。     

我国开放式基金信息披露制度及其优化

本文从我国开放式基金信息披露制度演化的角度,系统地梳理了我国开放式基金信息披露制度发展的两个阶段,在此基础上,从信息披露人的主体、披露的内容、披露时效、重大事项以及法律责任等 5 个方面分析我国现行开放式基金信息披露制度的特点.然后文章详细论证了我国开放式基金信息披露制度需要在招股说明书、费用披露格式、业绩比较基准、私人账单信息披露、对基金管理公司有关信息的披露以及特殊类型基金的信息披露等6个方面进行制度上的优化建议.     

Empirical findings from the reconciliations in the first IFRS compliant reports prepared by Japanese-owned subsidiaries in Australia

In Japan, a Japanese version of International Financial Reporting Standards (J-IFRS or JMIS)² will be adopted from March-ending in 2016, but exactly when the IFRS mandate will start is still unknown. The Australian regulators required not only publicly listed companies but also private and foreign-owned entities to prepare their financial statements to comply with Australian IFRS (A-IFRS) on or after 1 January 2005. Around the time of the transition to A-IFRS, more than 400 local subsidiary companies in Australia operated businesses which were invested in by Japanese multinational corporations. Thus, Australia was in a unique place to explore the IFRS reporting practices for Japanese-owned entities. We examined the reconciliations of the accounting figures made under the prior Australian generally accepted accounting principles (AGAAP) to those made under A-IFRS, and explored explanations for the reconciliations stated in the first A-IFRS compliant annual reports. On average, the net profits reported under AGAAP were 13% higher than those measured by A-IFRS for the Japanese subsidiaries, while the matched sample Australian companies' profits were on average 2% lower under AGAAP than the accounting figures reported under A-IFRS. Moreover, we described the following four accounting standards which were most frequently cited in the explanations of the impacts of the A-IFRS implementation: financial instruments, income taxes, provisions and employee benefits. Firstly, this study found that the reporting practices of the Japanese subsidiaries and Australian matched sample firms were less likely to be similar in the same Australian institutional setting. Secondly, the differences of the institutional factors in the countries of origin somewhat influenced the financial reporting of the Australian subsidiaries. Finally, the strict and wide scope of recognition and disclosure requirements under A-IFRS led to a significant increase in assets and liabilities. The monetary values materially changed under AGAAP compared with those made under A-IFRS, but these reporting entities attempted to comply with the new accounting regulations on time. We expect that information disclosure will increase and become more standardised under A-IFRS, compared with under AGAAP.     

国际银行业信息披露制度研究

信息披露制度的兴起和完善伴随着商业银行治理结构的变革及风险管理技术的提升,是推动银行业公司治理改革的重要动力。《有效银行监管的核心原则》、《提高银行透明度》、《巴塞尔资本协议Ⅱ》等报告和协议为国际银行业信息披露标准提供了借鉴,折射了国际银行业信息披露制度的变革方向。美国银行业信息披露制度对我国有着明显的借鉴意义,其改进信息披露的举措主要包括提高信息披露效能、加强信用风险披露和按业务线披露经营信息等。以《巴塞尔资本协议Ⅱ》的要求为基础,借鉴发达国家的信息披露制度,细化《商业银行信息披露暂行办法》的相关规定,推进信息披露的规范化,是我国商业银行提升信息披露水平的可选思路。     

环境信息披露、行业差异和外部制度压力相关性研究——来自我国沪市上市公司环境信息披露的经验证据

当前我国发生了环境污染和生态失衡的一系列重大事件,社会公众要求上市公司披露环境信息的呼声越来越高,同时引发了人们对外部监管制度有效性的争论:外部监管制度是形同虚设,还是一直静静地发挥着它应有的作用?本文以我国沪市上市公司为例,对环境信息披露、行业差异和外部制度压力之间关系进行了实证研究。结果发现,环境信息披露状况受到行业差异和外部环境监管制度压力的显著影响,环境信息披露水平在重污染和非重污染行业之间存在明显差异,而且这种差异与行业间外部制度压力差异的相关性十分明显。外部监管制度约束对提高环境信息透明度功不可没。     

交易透明度与信息揭示制度：国际趋势与启示

由于经济文化环境、交易制度、市场结构，技术模式和投资者分布等方面的差异，不同交易所在交易信息揭示的种类，数量和程度方面有所区别。本文首先总结了采取指令驱动的主要交易所的交易信息揭示制度和市场透明度，在比基础上分析了交易所交易信息揭示制度变革与市场透明度的发展趋势．希望能对我国证券市场交易信息揭示制度的发展提供一点有益的借鉴和启示。     

中国企业ERP投资关键信息披露问题研究

近年来,我国企业ERP投资增长迅速。然而,ERP系统实施在给企业带来诸多好处的同时,也由于其复杂性而可能给企业带来巨大的投资风险。对于这项复杂的系统工程,如果其相关关键信息披露不透明、不可比,导致的信息不对称问题将大大增加企业投资者的决策风险。本文研究了我国上市公司ERP投资相关关键信息披露的现状,通过实证研究的方法分析了企业ERP投资普遍采取的披露内容和方式存在的问题,并就此对证监会信息披露准则的修订提出建议。     

分工与证券市场信息披露

本首先从对信息披露制度的争论提出问题，然后以新兴古典经济学视角研究证券市场信息披露制度。股东与经理之间的分工导致信息不对称，为消除信息不对称、为减少股东与经理之间交易协调失灵的风险，需要证券市场信息披露制度。章最后从减少内生交易费用和限制外生交易费用的角度，指出我国信息披露制度应该完善的地方。