CGI Global Japan Forum: Company Secretaries, Board Effectiveness & Long-term Value Creation

On the 2^nd October 2025, CGI Global hosted an in-person event, endorsed by the Japan Financial Services Authority and the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which looked at the important role of the Company Secretary in advising the Board on governance matters.

The role of the modern-day corporate board to strategically direct and oversee the creation of long-term value is demanding and complex. Today’s global economy is fraught by uncertainty driven by geopolitical discord, trade wars, climate change, rapid technological advancement, and more. To navigate this challenging environment, corporate boards must be equipped with the right policies, processes, information and resources to conduct their role effectively. In doing so, the role of the Company Secretary can ensure that the board is properly supported, advised and governed. Many of the world’s strongest economies recognize this vital position as a keystone of good governance, so why is the role not utilized in Japan? Would the role add value to Japan’s corporate governance reforms? How do board directors benefit from the position, and in particular Independent Directors?

These questions, and more, were put forward and discussed by leading international practitioners, policy makers and corporate leaders. The event received fantastic support from an array of sponsors, and culminated in The Chartered Governance Institute calling on Japan’s Financial Services Agency to amend the Corporate Governance Code to reference the important role of the Company Secretary, which you can read in full here.