Corporate website of Orient Corporation

Sustainability

Corporate Governance

Our Approach to Corporate Governance

The company has established a Corporate Philosophy that encompasses its Purpose, which is its significance and mission, and its Values, which are the values it cherishes. Based on this philosophy, the Company has defined Orico’s Sustainability Statement, which clarifies its basic approach to society and its stakeholders.

Based on these principles, the Company aims to realize a sustainable society and enhance its corporate value over the medium to long term by contributing to the resolution of social issues and meeting the expectations and trust of various stakeholders, including customers, shareholders, investors, business partners, local communities, and employees, in line with its Envisioned Society and Vision.
To realize these objectives, the Company thinks it important to ensure transparency in management and fairness towards stakeholders and make prompt and decisive decisions. The Company has established the following basic policy to enhance corporate governance in line with its business environment.

Basic Policy on Corporate Governance

Our Basic Policy on Corporate Governance is as follows:

  1. We are committed to respecting the rights of our shareholders and creating an environment where shareholders can exercise those rights appropriately and equality of shareholders is maintained.
  2. We recognize the importance of social responsibility and will work appropriately with stakeholders other than shareholders.
  3. We will continue to disclose financial and non-financial information in compliance with legal requirements and actively provide additional information beyond the requirements of regulation.
  4. Our Board of Directors will appropriately fulfill its roles and responsibilities for the sustainable growth of the company and the medium to long-term enhancement of corporate value, based on its fiduciary responsibility and accountability to shareholders.
  5. We will disclose information regarding our management strategy and financial and performance status in a timely and appropriate manner, which will enhance our investor relations (IR) activities and earn the trust and recognition of shareholders and investors.

Please refer to our company's "Corporate Governance Report" on our website for further information on enhancing information disclosure, ensuring diversity among core personnel, and our business execution structure.

Corporate Governance Structure

Orient Corporation is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market and has elected to have an Audit and Supervisory Committee.
As of June 30, 2025, we have implemented all the principles stated in the Corporate Governance Code.
We place emphasis on the Board of Directors' role in formulating strategies and providing oversight, while delegating the authority for business execution to the President and Director as much as possible.

The Company’s Board of Directors consists of 11 members in total, including seven Directors (excluding those who are Audit and Supervisory Committee Members) and four Directors who are the Audit and Supervisory Committee Members. Additionally, the Company discloses the so-called skills matrix, which lists knowledge, experience, abilities, and other information of Directors, while increasing the ratio of Independent Outside Directors to a majority of the Board of Directors. By appointing the Board Chairperson, who is a Non-Executive Director, the Company ensures multi-faceted deliberation and the objectivity and transparency of decision-making at the Board.

In accordance with the Articles of Incorporation, we delegate certain important business execution decisions (excluding matters stipulated in Article 399-13, Paragraph 5 of the Companies Act) to the President and Representative Director, which enables swift decision-making in management and allows the Board of Directors to focus on key discussions, such as formulating management policies and strategies.

As advisory bodies to the Board of Directors, we have established the Nominating and Compensation Committee and the Conflict of Interest Management Committee. The members of these committees are appointed by a resolution of the Board of Directors, with a majority of the members being independent outside directors, and the chairpersons of both committees are elected by mutual selection among the independent outside directors.

The Nominating and Compensation Committee deliberates on matters related to the personnel and compensation of executives as referred by the Board of Directors, while the Conflict of Interest Management Committee discusses important transactions with Mizuho Financial Group, Inc., which is a major shareholder holding more than 40% of the shares.

While we delegate significant authority for business execution to the President and Director, we have established various advisory bodies to support the President and Director in making appropriate decisions, including the Executive Management Meeting, the Operational Auditing Committee, the Sustainability Committee, the Comprehensive Risk Management Committee, and the Compliance Committee.

Operational Performance of Principal Committees and Congressional Bodies

Ratio of Independent Outside Directors
in each body*1
Chairperson*1 Top: number of meetings
Bottom: average attendance ratio
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Board of Directors 55% Non-executive Director 13
(96%)
13
(98%)
16
(98%)
16
(98%)
15
(98%)
Nomination & Remuneration Committee 75% Outside Director 7
(100%)
6
(100%)
5
(100%)
5
(100%)
7
(100%)
Conflict of Interest Management Committee 67% Outside Director - - 2
(100%)
-
*2
-
*2
Audit & Supervisory Committee 75% Full-time Audit Committee Member - - 14
(99%)
24
(98%)
29
(97%)
Board of Auditors - - 17
(96%)
17
(98%)
3
(93%)
-
*3
-
*3

*1 As of June 30, 2025
*2 There is no such case and it will not be held.
*3 Abolished in June 2022 with the transition to a company with Audit & Supervisory Committee.

Analyzing and Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Board of Directors

To ensure the Board of Directors, the core of corporate governance, fulfills roles and responsibilities appropriately, the Company evaluates and analyzes the board effectiveness annually with the support of third-party external professionals, makes improvement based on the results, and thereby works on enhancing the board effectiveness further.

  1. Evaluations of Board Effectiveness in the Fiscal Year 2024
    • (1)Implementation process
      • (i)Subjects: all (12) Directors
      • (ii)Implementation method
        • (a) The company conducted questionnaires for all Directors on ensuring the board’s appropriate fulfilling roles and responsibilities
        • (b) Third-party external professionals conducted personal interviews with a subject based on the content of the questionnaires
        • (c) Third-party external professionals summarized results and then analyzed
        • (d) Based on the analysis results by third-party external professionals, the board secretariat formulated the draft of the analysis results and evaluations and then made reporting to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors made discussions.
      • (iii)Overview of Questions in Questionnaires and Interviews
        • (a) Composition of the Board of Directors
        • (b) Roles and responsibilities of the Board of Directors
        • (c) Operational status of the Board of Directors
        • (d) Status of addressing issues in the last year’s evaluations
        • (e) Matters to be improved, among others.
    • (2)Initiatives and Evaluation Results
      • (i)Details of initiatives
        • (a) Strategy formulation: Better discussions on important themes
          Enhancement of discussions based on the establishment of important themes* that indicate the major direction of corporate strategy and the advancement of annual scheduling.
          (Note) Main important themes:
          The New Medium-Term Management Plan, the establishment of an internal control system for the entire group, including overseas operations, the status of penetration of the new Corporate Philosophy, the completion of structural reform of installment credit business, and initiatives related to overseas business.
        • (b) Environmental development: Enhancement of effectiveness of monitoring
          By strengthening the Three Lines Model, including group companies and enhancing autonomous control within group companies, the Company improves the effectiveness of monitoring through optimization of group management.
        • (c) Supervision: Further enhancement of effectiveness of governance structure
          The execution side implements the PDCA cycle in accordance with various basic policies, including those on customer-oriented, human rights, information disclosure controls, and the environment.
      • (ii)Evaluation results
        • The effectiveness of the Board of Directors has steadily improved through the formulation of strategy, strengthening of monitoring, and other measures.
          However, the Company recognize the need to enhance monitoring that contributes to achieving the New Medium-Term Management Plan and to broaden discussions from a more comprehensive perspective.
  2. Major Views on Board Operation in the Fiscal Year 2025

    Based on matters such as the board operational status and the board effectiveness evaluations in the previous fiscal year, the Company’s Board of Directors primarily thinks about the board operation in the fiscal year 2025 as follows.
    To achieve sustainable corporate growth and enhance corporate value over the medium to long term continuously, the Board of Directors is committed to appropriately fulfilling roles and responsibilities such as the board’s formulating strategies and fulfilling supervision functions.

    • (1)Viewpoint of strategies
      Strategic discussions contributing to the achievement of the New Medium-Term Management Plan
    • (2)Viewpoint of supervision
      • (i)Expansion of digital technology and AI utilization
      • (ii)Improving corporate governance and risk management
      • (iii)Corporate culture change

Board of Directors' Policies and Procedures for Nominating Director Candidates and Appointing Executive Management

Our company follows the following policies and procedures for nominating director candidates and selecting executive management:

  1. Board of Directors' policies and procedures for selecting executive management, nominating director candidates (excluding directors serving as auditors), and appointing members of the Audit and Supervisory Committee.

    • (1) The Board of Directors consists of directors who possess knowledge, experience, and qualities that contribute to the functioning of the board, taking into consideration the scope, scale, and operating environment of our business.
    • (2) When nominating candidates for Directors (excluding directors serving as auditors), internal Directors must have a high level of expertise in the Company's business and excellent management judgment and execution skills. For outside directors, candidates must have abundant experience in corporate management, expertise in retail finance, economics, corporate management, legal affairs, finance and accounting, or in-depth knowledge of other issues surrounding corporate management.
    • (3) For director candidates serving as auditors, the requirements include knowledge of business, finance and accounting, governance, risk management, legal affairs, compliance, and other knowledge and experience necessary to audit business execution from a fair and objective standpoint.
    • (4) The skill set of the Board of Directors is described in a skills matrix, and efforts are made to nominate director candidates with balanced capabilities.
    • (5) Based on (2) above, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, a majority of whose members are independent outside directors, deliberates on director candidates (excluding directors serving as auditors). After receiving consent from the Audit and Supervisory Committee, the President and Representative Director will make a proposal to the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors will determine the candidates.
    • (6) Based on (3) above, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, a majority of whose members are independent outside directors, deliberates on director candidates for the Audit and Supervisory Committee. After receiving consent from the Audit and Supervisory Committee, the President and Director will make a proposal to the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors will determine the candidates.
    • (7) When appointing executive management, the President and Director proposes to the Board of Directors candidates who will demonstrate leadership in management and implementing business strategies, and the Board of Directors will select the candidates.
    • (8) In the event that an executive manager is associated with misconduct, violation of laws, regulations, the Articles of Incorporation, or other situations that may damage the Company's corporate value, the executive manager will be dismissed by the Board of Directors after deliberation by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the majority of whose members are independent outside directors.
  2. Reasons for the appointment of directors and executive management:

    For details including the profiles of directors and executive managers, as well as the rationale behind their appointment, please refer to the following:

Directors' Skills Matrix

Click here for the skills matrix which lists knowledge, experience, and abilities of our directors:

Policy for Determining Directors' Compensation

We determine the compensation of Directors (excluding directors serving as auditors) based on the following policy:

  1. Policy regarding individual compensation of Directors (excluding directors those who are members of Audit and Advisory Committee):

    • (1) Basic Policy

      To serve as a sound incentive for enhancing operating results and corporate value over the medium to long term, compensation of Directors (excluding Non-Executive Directors and External Directors) consists of title-based fixed compensation and performance-linked compensation. The former is paid based on their roles and responsibilities. The latter fluctuates payment amounts based on factors such as corporate business results, and is composed of cash compensation that contributes to short-term incentives and stock compensation that contributes to medium- to long-term incentives.
      The compensation of Non-Executive Directors and External Director is composed of fixed compensation and non-performance-linked stock compensation, taking into consideration their job responsibility.

    • (2) Policy on determining individual amounts of basic compensation (monetary compensation), including its conditions and timings.

      The basic compensation of our directors is fixed based on their roles and responsibilities, and it is provided on a monthly basis during their tenure.

    • (3) Policy on determining the content and amounts or numerical calculation methods of performance-linked compensation and non-monetary compensation (including policy on determining periods or conditions for providing compensation and as such)

      The performance-linked compensation for the Company’s Directors is composed of cash compensation and stock compensation. The non-performance-linked compensation is consisted of stock compensation only. The stock compensation is a stock reward system called the “Board Benefit Trust Restricted Stock (BBT-RS).” The BBT-RS uses money contributed by the Company as funding resources, acquires the shares of the Company through the trust, and provides these shares and money that is equivalent to an amount of cash converted by a market price through the trust.
      The performance-linked compensation fluctuates based on operating results of the overall company and performance of an individual. Specifically, the compensation amount is determined by multiplying a title-based standard amount by a payment rate, which varies within the range from 0% to 150% based on evaluations of operating results of the overall company and performance of an individual. The performance-linked compensation is a title-based compensation amount. The Company uses ordinary consolidated ordinary profit and other factors as indicators concerning operating results of the overall company. The Company decides payment rates corresponding to the indicators by using factors such as plan-to-actual and year-on-year comparisons. The Company reviews these indicators appropriately by comprehensively taking into consideration management targets, stakeholder expectations and requests, economic conditions, social environment and other factors and receiving advice and recommendations from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of which main members are Independent External Directors.
      Of performance-linked compensation, the timing of receiving cash compensation is the month immediately following the period from July to the following June each year. In principle, the timing of receiving shares as stock compensation is a certain time each year.
      In principle, the timing of receiving cash is the time when a Director retires. If a Director receives stock compensation during its term of office, the Company will execute a transfer restriction agreement before the delivery to restrict disposition by transfer and other means from retirement until a specified period determined by the Company. If there are any events such as significant violations such as breach of various related internal regulations of the Company and certain non-compliance acts during tenure, the Company may forfeit whole or part of the right to receive stock compensation by a decision of the Board of Directors.

      The Company discloses actual results such as consolidated ordinary profit for the current business year in the Annual Securities Report on the corporate website below:
      Annual Securities Reports https://www.orico.co.jp/company/
      ir/library/securitiesreport/ (in Japanese language only)

      • *A malus provision allows for reduction or cancellation of remunerations including medium- to long-term incentives “prior to payment”, among “institutionalized schemes” for directors and other officers to return remunerations.

      The actual performance of consolidated ordinary profit for the current fiscal year is disclosed in the Securities Report available at the following URL:

    • (4) Policy on determining the ratio of monetary compensation, performance-linked compensation, and non-monetary compensation to the compensation amount for individual directors:

      The ratio between fixed compensation and performance-linked compensation is determined based on the expectations of roles, ranging from 70:30 to 60:40. The ratio between cash rewards and stock rewards within the performance-linked compensation is set between 1:1 to 2:1. The determination of these ratios is periodically reviewed, taking into account stakeholder expectations and requests, economic conditions, social environment, and other factors. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee, with external directors as key members, provides advice and recommendations for the determination of these ratios.

    • (5) Matters concerning the decision on individual director compensation:

      The determination of individual compensation falls within the approved total amount of compensation at the General Meeting of Shareholders and is delegated to the President and Director based on resolutions of the Board of Directors. To ensure appropriate exercise of this authority by the President and Director, compensation decisions are made in accordance with a remuneration system formulated in advance, taking into account the advice and recommendations of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. As for the compensation of executive management, a policy and system similar to that of directors (excluding external directors) are established, and individual compensation is determined through discussions between the President and Director and the Chairperson, following the remuneration system formulated in advance and the advice and recommendations of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

      Furthermore, the individual compensation of directors (including audit members) is determined within the approved total amount of remuneration at the General Meeting of Shareholders through discussions among all members of the Audit and Supervisory Committee.

Compensation of Directors and Auditors

Classification Total amount of compensation Total amount of compensation by type Number of directors and auditors subject to the rule
Fixed compensation Performance-linked compensation Non-performance-linked stock compensation
Bonus cash Stock compensation Stock compensation
Directors (excluding Audit & Supervisory Committee Members)
(Outside Directors)
252 million yen
(22 million yen)
191 million yen
(21 million yen)
33 million yen
(-)
27 million yen
(-)
1 million yen
(1 million yen)
9
(2)
Directors (Audit & Supervisory Committee Members)
(Outside Directors)
66 million yen
(39 million yen)
62 million yen
(37 million yen)
- - 4 million yen
(2 million yen)
5
(4)
Total
(Outside Directors)
318 million yen
(61 million yen)
253 million yen
(58 million yen)
33 million yen
(-)
27 million yen
(-)
5 million yen
(3 million yen)
14
(6)
(Note)
  1. The table above includes one outside director (Audit Committee member) who resigned on June 25, 2024, and one director who resigned on November 15, 2024.
  2. The number of officers eligible for performance-linked compensation is 6 directors (excluding external directors). Furthermore, at the 57th Regular General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 27, 2017, the introduction of the performance-linked stock reward system "Board Benefit Trust (BBT)" was approved, and the compensation framework for stock options was abolished. Since then, no new stock options have been granted to directors.
    Additionally, at the 64th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 25, 2024, a resolution was passed to amend the performance-based stock compensation system from "Stock Benefit Trust (BBT)" to "Stock Benefit Trust (BBT-RS)."
  3. Performance-linked compensation consists of cash and stock-based compensation.The calculation method for performance-linked compensation is based on overall company performance and individual performance. Specifically, it is determined by multiplying the payment rate, which varies within the range of 0% to 150% based on the evaluation of overall company performance and individual performance according to a predefined benchmark for each position. The selected indicator for calculation is consolidated ordinary profit, which represents the company's earning power. The actual performance of consolidated ordinary profit for the current fiscal year is stated in the following "Consolidated financial statements for the 65th fiscal year".
  4. The maximum amount of remuneration for Directors, excluding Directors who are members of the Audit Committee, was resolved at the 62nd Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 24, 2022 to be no more than 450 million yen per year (including 50 million yen for Outside Directors). As of the close of the 62nd Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 24, 2022, the Company had 8 directors (including 2 outside directors), excluding those who are members of the Audit and Supervisory Committee.
    The maximum amount of remuneration for Directors (Audit & Supervisory Board Members) was resolved at the 62nd Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 24, 2022 to be 120 million yen or less per year. As of the close of the 62nd Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 24, 2022, there were 5 directors (including 3 outside directors).
    In addition to the above compensation limit, at the 64th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 25, 2024, a resolution was passed to contribute to the stock compensation system "Stock Benefit Trust (BBT-RS)" for directors and executive officers, with a limit of 902 million yen (of which 310 million yen for directors, excluding those who are Audit Committee members and outside directors; 30 million yen for directors who are Audit Committee members; and 12 million yen for outside directors who are not Audit Committee members) (for each of the three fiscal years). At the conclusion of the said Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, there were 9 directors (excluding directors who are Audit Committee members), including 2 outside directors, and 4 directors who are Audit Committee members, including 3 outside directors.
  5. At the Company, Makoto Umemiya, President and Representative Director, determines the details of individual fixed remuneration and performance-linked remuneration for directors (excluding directors who are members of the Audit Committee) within the total amount of remuneration approved at the General Meeting of Shareholders, based on a resolution delegated by the Board of Directors. The Company determines the details of individual fixed remuneration and performance-linked remuneration for each director (excluding directors who are members of the Audit Committee) within the total amount of remuneration approved at the General Meeting of Shareholders. The reason for delegating these authorities is to evaluate the performance and other aspects of the divisions in charge of each Director (excluding Directors who are members of the Audit and Supervisory Committee), while taking into consideration the Company's overall performance and other factors. The reason for delegating these authorities is that the Company has determined that the President and Representative Director is the appropriate person to evaluate the performance, etc. of the divisions in charge of each Director (excluding Directors who are Audit Committee Members) while taking into consideration the performance, etc. of the Company as a whole. In order to ensure that such authority is properly exercised by the President and CEO, decisions are made in accordance with the remuneration system established in advance based on the consultation and report of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. The Board of Directors has determined that the content of the amount of remuneration for each individual director (excluding directors who are members of the Audit and Supervisory Committee) is in line with such decision-making policy.
  6. Individual compensation for each director (Audit & Supervisory Board Member) is determined by consultation among all Audit & Supervisory Board Members within the total amount of compensation approved by the General Meeting of Shareholders.

For details, please refer to the following “Notice of Convocation of the 65th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders” on page 50 and thereafter.

Ensuring Diversity among Core Personnel in the Company

Views on Ensuring Diversity

Amidst the declining birth rate, aging population and shrinking population in Japan, the Company has been committed to promoting diversity and raising awareness on diversity. For example, the Company secures necessary talent for business growth, promotes women's empowerment, employs individuals with disabilities, supports LGBTQ+ individuals and other sexual minorities, and provides career support for the senior workforce. To continue these initiatives while adapting to rapid environmental changes, the Company will actively hire and develop talent with diverse values, perspectives, expertise and other qualities without being limited to factor-based criteria such as gender and nationality, place emphasis on mutually accepting and improving each other, and ensure sustainable corporate growth.

Voluntary and Measurable Goals and Their Status

The Company builds an environment where employees can continue to develop their careers independently, grow and perform actively. Additionally, to promote women's empowerment, the Company conducts initiatives on developing women leaders such as level-specific training programs, management training, and development programs for candidates in senior positions (general manager level) for women employees. The Company will further strengthen initiatives such as training towards eliminating unconscious biases that hinder active performance of diverse employees. To strengthen group-wide initiatives, it has revised its non-consolidated targets to domestic consolidated targets for fiscal year 2026.

Female Managerial Representation
Non-consolidated (FY2024)

Target* Actual
Senior manager-level and above 28% 29.7%
General Manager-level 12% 11.3%

Note: As the target level for fiscal year 2024 was achieved one year ahead of schedule, the target values have been revised to +1% for Senior Manager-level and above and +3% for General Manager-level and above

Domestic Consolidation (From the fiscal year)

Current (as of April 2025) Target (Until March 2028) Target (Until March 2030)
Senior manager-level and above 28.3% 34% 40%
General Manager equivalent positions* 14.1% 20% 30%

Note: General Managers (including General Managers who are Executive Officers) and positions equivalent to them

Active participation of human resources with diverse experience

The company has strengthened its recruitment of experienced personnel since April 2022, hiring 88 people from outside the company in fiscal year 2023 and 48 people in fiscal year 2024.
As overseas business expands, the Company is strengthening hiring and development, regardless of nationality, across the Group, including its overseas local subsidiaries. In the local subsidiaries, over 90% of managerial positions are already held by local hires. The Company will continue to work towards enabling personnel with diverse experiences to perform actively as core human resources.

Human Resource Development Policies and Implementation Status Towards Ensuring Diversity

The Company has established the Human Resources Management Policy as basic views on human resources strategies. The Company holds out the policy of prioritizing individuality and fostering diversity, and is committed to supporting independent career development of each and every employee.
In the fiscal year 2024, the Company started the operation of the "Job Posting System," which allows employees to proactively seek out positions and growth opportunities through external traineeships at startups, external side jobs, and internal applications. In the first year, 257 employees utilized the system to take on new career challenges.

The Company also offers various opportunities so that each employee can strive for their personal growth such as developing Digital Transformation (DX) talent and enhancing self-learning programs. 3,348 employees have completed the DX Promotion Talent Junior Program while 1,520 employees have completed the DX Promotion Talent Intermediate Program. The employees who aim for upper levels are working on the Advanced Program.
Additionally, to establish a mutually beneficial relationship where the Company and employees can grow together (Win-Win relationship), the Company conducts surveys regularly to understand the status of engagement and strives to enhance employee engagement sustainably.

Additionally, the status of the implementation of specific educational programs is disclosed on the following company website.

Internal Environment Development Policies and Implementation Status Towards Ensuring Diversity

The Company has established the “Inclusion and Diversity Basic Policy” , under the recognition that accepting and leveraging the diverse thoughts, perspectives and values of each and every employee will improve employee engagement, increase competitiveness of the Company and ultimately enhance corporate value.
Based on the Basic Policy, the Company has established the “Inclusion and Diversity Promotion Office” , an organization dedicated to planning and promoting inclusion and diversity. The Company also formulates an “Annual Action Plan” for promoting inclusion and diversity to accelerate initiatives in this area.

Strengthening Internal Controls

In order to ensure that the execution of directors' duties complies with laws and the Articles of Incorporation, and to ensure the appropriateness of other operations (internal control system), our company has developed the Basic Policy on Internal Control System through board resolutions. Additionally, the operation status of the internal control system, including compliance and risk management, is reviewed by the Board of Directors.
Furthermore, our Audit and Supervisory Committee audits the legality and appropriateness of business execution, as well as the establishment and operation status of the internal control system, through activities such as receiving business reports from the operating departments, collaborating with the Internal Auditing Group, Risk Management Group, and Compliance Group, and gathering information from the internal reporting system.

Guidelines Concerning Minority Shareholders Protection Policy in Transactions with Controlling Shareholders

The Company is an equity method associate of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc., which holds approximately 49%. The Company receives a total of approximately 49% investment from Mizuho Financial Group, Inc., its shareholder company, which includes approximately 48.6% investment from Mizuho Bank, Ltd. This Report indicates overall Mizuho Financial Group, Inc., including Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as “MHFG” and describes MHFG as a major shareholder.

  • (1)Views and Policy on Group Management in Major Shareholders and as such.
    • As business partners, a major shareholder and the Company make efforts to expand each own business. Based on matters such as protection of the Company’s minority shareholders, each major shareholder respects independence of the Company and pays attention to preventing conflicts of interest such as maintaining appropriate transaction conditions.
  • (2)Views and Measures and Other Issues on Ensuring Independence from Major Shareholders which is Necessary from a Viewpoint of Protection of Minority Shareholders
    • In the process of the Company’s decision-making on matters such as management plans, there is no involvement by major shareholders such as mandatory prior approval. Independence is ensured adequately.
    • The Company makes efforts to ensure appropriate conditions of transactions with major shareholders in order not to harm the interests of the Company and minority shareholders. To confirm appropriate implementation of this operation above, the Company conducts an annual investigation on transactions with parties such as major shareholders. The Company reports material facts to the Board of Directors based on the “Corporate Governance Policies” set out by a resolution of the Board of Directors. The Company appropriately discloses information in accordance with laws and regulations and other rules.
    • The Company has established the Conflict of Interest Management Committee as an advisory body to the Board of Directors, of which the majority of committee members are Independent External Directors. The Committee deliberates on material transactions with each company of MHFG, the major shareholder with 40% or more of the shareholding ratio. The Committee was held twice in fiscal year 2022. The Committee was not held in fiscal year 2023 and 2024 because of no applicable transactions.
  • (3)Agreements and Other Issues with Major Shareholders on Group Management
    • To develop and enhance both the Company and MHFG, the Company and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. agree to comply with the MHFG management regulations on group management, and confirm the agreement in writing. Mizuho Bank, Ltd. respects independence of the Company. Business management by the bank is limited to truly required matters except for items such as statutory matters. The management method is reporting after decision making of the Company.

Matters Related to Takeover Defense

Currently, our company considers the possibility of a hostile takeover to be low and has not implemented specific anti-takeover measures. However, we will consider effective countermeasures against hostile takeovers as necessary and on a case-by-case basis.

Policy on Compliance with the Corporate Governance Code

Our company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market and has chosen to establish the Audit and Supervisory Committee. As of April 1, 2025, we have implemented all the principles outlined in the Corporate Governance Code.

For more details, please refer to our "Corporate Governance Report":

Governance Structure Details

  1. Board of Directors

    The Company’s Board of Directors consists of 11 members in total, including seven Directors (excluding those who are Audit and Supervisory Committee Members) and four Directors who are the Audit and Supervisory Committee Members. Additionally, the Company discloses the so-called skills matrix, which lists knowledge, experience, abilities, and other information of Directors, while increasing the ratio of Independent Outside Directors to a majority of the Board of Directors. By appointing the Board Chairperson, Mr. Tetsuo Iimori, who is a Non-Executive Director, the Company ensures multi-faceted deliberation and the objectivity and transparency of decision-making at the Board.
    Based on the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, the Board of Directors delegates part of decisions on important business execution (excluding matters stipulated in each item of Article 399-13, paragraph (5) of the Companies Act) to the President and Director. This makes decisions on management more prompt and enables the Board of Directors to focus on priority deliberation matters and better discuss matters such as formulating management policies and management strategies.

    (Nomination and Remuneration Committee)
    The Company’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee, established as an advisory body to the Board of Directors, is composed of four members: one Internal Director and three Outside Directors. The current chairperson is Mr. Gan Matsui, an Outside Director, and the committee deliberates on matters related to personnel and remuneration of directors and other officers referred to it by the Board of Directors. In fiscal year 2024, the committee was held seven times with 100% attendance ratio of the committee members.
    The details of activities are as stated in “[Voluntary Established Committee(s)] [Director Compensation] of 1. Organizational Composition and Operation of II. Business Management Organization and Other Corporate Governance Systems regarding Decision-making, Execution of Business, and Oversight.”

    (Conflict of Interest Management Committee)
    The Company’s Conflict of Interest Management Committee, established as an advisory body to the Board of Directors, is composed of three members: one Internal Director and two Independent Outside Directors. The current chairperson is Mr. Shigeaki Honjo, an Independent Outside Director, and the committee deliberates on material transactions with MHFG companies, which are major shareholders holding over 40% of shares.

  2. Audit and Supervisory Committee

    The Company’s Audit and Supervisory Committee consists of four Directors who are Audit and Supervisory Committee Members (including one full-time Audit and Supervisory Committee Member). The majority of three members are Outside Directors. The Company has established a dedicated organization (Audit and Supervisory Committee Office) for supporting audit and other activities of the Audit and Supervisory Committee. The Audit and Supervisory Committee has developed the structure where the Committee collaborates with the Internal Auditing Group and conducts appropriate audits.

  3. Business Execution Structure

    The Company places emphasis on strategy formulation and supervision functions of the Board of Directors, and delegates the authority for business execution to the President and Director as much as possible. Additionally, in order for the President and Director to make appropriate decisions, the Company has established advisory bodies to the President and Director such as the "Executive Management Meeting", the "Operational Auditing Committee", the "Sustainability Committee", the "Comprehensive Risk Management Committee" and the "Compliance Committee" to build structure where the President and Director makes appropriate decisions.

    (Executive Management Meeting)
    The Executive Management Meeting is established for the purpose of preliminarily deliberating on matters to be submitted to the Board of Directors and deliberating on important matters for business execution and operational management based on basic management policies decided by the Board of Directors. The Meeting is currently chaired by the President and Director (Makoto Umemiya) and composed of members such as all Heads of Divisions and Groups.

    (Operational Auditing Committee)
    The Operational Auditing Committee is established for the purpose of enhancing internal audits by deliberating on important matters concerning internal audits. The Committee is currently chaired by the President and Director (Makoto Umemiya) and is composed of the Heads of three Groups. The Committee reports the status of internal audit activities regularly to the Board of Directors.

    (Sustainability Committee)
    The Sustainability Committee is established for the purpose of deliberating on important matters concerning sustainability. The Committee is currently chaired by the President and Director (Makoto Umemiya) and is composed of the Heads of 18 Divisions and Groups. The Committee reports the status of initiatives on sustainability regularly to the Board of Directors.

    (Comprehensive Risk Management Committee)
    The Comprehensive Risk Management Committee is established for the purpose of identifying and managing various types of risks comprehensively. The Committee is currently chaired by a Managing Executive Officer (Toshifumi Murata) and is composed of the Heads of 18 Divisions and Groups. The Committee reports the status of risk management regularly to the Board of Directors and the Executive Management Meeting.

    (Compliance Committee)
    The Compliance Committee is established for the purpose of penetrating compliance at the Company and subsidiaries and other relating parties and enhancing corporate value as a company that contributes to society. The Committee is currently chaired by a Managing Executive Officer (Toshifumi Murata) and is composed of the Heads of 18 Divisions and Groups. The Committee reports the status of initiatives on compliance regularly to the Board of Directors and the Executive Management Meeting.

    (ALM Committee)
    The Asset and Liability Management (ALM) Committee is established for the purpose of controlling market risks and fund liquidity risks properly. The Committee is currently chaired by a Managing Executive Officer (Toshifumi Murata) and is composed of the Heads of six Divisions and Groups. The Committee reports the status of committee activities regularly to the Executive Management Meeting.

    (Credit Committee)
    The Credit Committee is established for the purpose of deliberating on important matters concerning strengthening proper credit management and member merchants management. The Committee is currently chaired by a Managing Executive Officer (Daisuke Horiuchi) and is composed of the Heads of 10 Divisions and Groups. The Committee reports the status of committee activities regularly to the Executive Management Meeting.

    (New Business and New Products Committee)
    The New Business and New Products Committee is established for the purpose of evaluating and examining matters such as strategic potential, profitability and risks related to important new businesses and new products. The Committee is currently chaired by a Managing Executive Officer (Shinya Uda) and is composed of the Heads of 10 Groups. The Committee reports the status of committee activities regularly to the Executive Management Meeting.

    (IT Strategy Committee)
    The IT Strategy Committee is established for the purpose of deliberating on important IT strategies, IT investment plans and IT investment projects. The Committee is currently chaired by a Managing Executive Officer (Shoji Yakabe) and is composed of the Heads of 13 Divisions and Groups. The Committee reports the status of committee activities regularly to the Executive Management Meeting.

    (Human Rights Promotion Committee)
    The Human Rights Promotion Committee is established for the purpose of deliberating on important matters concerning human rights. The Committee is currently chaired by a Senior Managing Executive Officer (Hideyuki Matsuoka) and is composed of the Heads of 18 Divisions and Groups. The Committee reports the status of committee activities regularly to the Board of Directors and the Executive Management Meeting.