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U.S.-style investor activism in Japan: The first ten years?

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  • Hamao, Yasushi
  • Matos, Pedro

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive look at the first decade of U.S.-style investor activism in Japan, the second largest stock market in the world with many underperforming and cash-rich firms. Barriers to shareholder activism have historically been high but we document an unprecedented wave of block acquisitions by hedge fund and other investors with a total of 916 stakes reported in the period between 1998 and 2009. There is, on average, a positive stock price reaction to the announcement of activist investments, particularly for events involving hostile funds. The long-run returns on activism are positive only for events involving hostile funds. We find that activists have forced target firm managers to increase their payouts compared to peer firms, and there is some evidence of change in corporate governance. Finally, after 2006 there was a widespread adoption of “poison pills” by firms, particularly those targeted by activists, and a subsequent drop in investor activism. Our paper shows how U.S.-style activist investors are responsible for the “import” of corporate governance mechanisms from the U.S. into a foreign market.

Suggested Citation

  • Hamao, Yasushi & Matos, Pedro, 2018. "U.S.-style investor activism in Japan: The first ten years?," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 29-54.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jjieco:v:48:y:2018:i:c:p:29-54
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jjie.2017.10.004
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    Cited by:

    1. Blind, Georg D. & Lottanti von Mandach, Stefania, 2021. "Private Equity Buyouts in Japan: Effects on Employment Numbers," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    2. Fukuda, Shin-ichi & Kasuya, Munehisa & Nakajima, Jouchi, 2018. "The role of corporate governance in Japanese unlisted companies," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 27-39.
    3. Sato, Ryo & Takeda, Fumiko, 2023. "Effects of shareholder proposals on the market value of Japanese firms," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 320-333.
    4. Kabir, Md Nurul & Miah, Mohammad Dulal & Ali, Searat & Sharma, Parmendra, 2020. "Institutional and foreign ownership vis-à-vis default risk: Evidence from Japanese firms," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 469-493.
    5. Tomeczek, Artur F., 2022. "The evolution of Japanese keiretsu networks: A review and text network analysis of their perceptions in economics," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    6. Julian FRANKS & Colin MAYER & MIYAJIMA Hideaki & OGAWA Ryo, 2018. "Stock Repurchases and Corporate Control: Evidence from Japan," Discussion papers 18074, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    7. Ahmed, Anwer S. & Iwasaki, Takuya, 2021. "Foreign ownership, appointment of independent directors, and firm value: Evidence from Japanese firms," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    8. Olha Bielienkova & Anton Moholivets & Yana Loktionova, 2021. "Measurement Of The Level Of Economic Security Of Enterprises By The Indicator Of The Attractiveness For Hostile Takeovers," Baltic Journal of Economic Studies, Publishing house "Baltija Publishing", vol. 7(5).
    9. Hiroaki Miyachi & Fumiko Takeda, 2021. "Hedge Fund Activism in Japan under the Stewardship and Corporate Governance Codes," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 27(2), pages 119-130, May.
    10. Ryo Sakai, 2022. "The Evolution of Investor Activism in Japan," Papers 2206.00640, arXiv.org.
    11. Gillan, Stuart L. & Nguyen, Nga & Nishikawa, Takeshi, 2023. "Heterogeneity in shareholder activism: Evidence from Japan," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    12. Fukuda, Akira, 2020. "The Effects of M&A on Corporate Performance in Japan:DID Analysis in the Era of Corporate Governance Reform," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    13. Havranek, Tomas & Bajzík, Josef & Irsova, Zuzana & Novak, Jiri, 2023. "Does Shareholder Activism Create Value? A Meta-Analysis," CEPR Discussion Papers 18233, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    14. Schmid, Stefan & Roedder, Felix, 2021. "Gaijin invasion? A resource dependence perspective on foreign ownership and foreign directors," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(6).
    15. KUBO Katsuyuki & TSUBONO Kodai, 2022. "The Effect of Investment Funds on Employment and Wages," Discussion papers 22044, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    16. Koga, Yuya & Yamaguchi, Tomoyasu, 2023. "Does mandatory quarterly reporting induce managerial myopic behavior? Evidence from Japan," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate governance; Shareholder activism; Hedge funds; Japan;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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