Tokyo exchange to mandate English disclosure to lure overseas investors

TOKYO -- The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) will require companies listed on its top-tier Prime section of the market to disclose key financial information both in Japanese and English, starting Tuesday, in a move aimed at creating a level playing-field between domestic and overseas investors.

Some 1,600 or so Prime-listed companies are now required to disclose financial results in both Japanese and English at the same time. The rule also applies to information that may have a material effect on investment decisions, such as revisions to earnings forecasts, mergers and acquisitions and changes to representative directors.