Shareholder activism in Asia drives global total to record high

Upcoming general meeting season expected to see flurry of new proposals

20250428N JPX

Japan was a big focus of activist shareholder campaigns in 2024. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)

MASAYUKI SHIKATA

TOKYO -- Activist shareholders had their busiest year on record in 2024, with the Asia-Pacific region making up a fifth of campaigns worldwide, pushing some companies higher in the stock market and spurring others to consider going private.

The worldwide tally of activist campaigns rose by six to 258, up by half from three years earlier, according to data from financial advisory Lazard. Campaigns in the Asia-Pacific tripled over that period to 57, growing about 30% on the year.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.