FOREIGN INVESTMENT INFLUENCE ON OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL IN JAPANESE FIRMS

Corporate equity structure, whether is in a market-based system like US or a bank-based system like Japan is prone to changes due to foreign investment. Protection from outside investors varies greatly around these systems. Where protection is good, market-based systems flourish. These systems have certain advantages as they appear to foster innovation and to encourage the release of capital from declining industries. Bank-based systems may be better suited to established industries. These systems also help protect individuals from direct exposure to stock market risk. But, no matter the system, agency problems are inevitable. The paper looks at the past changes of the Japanese corporate ownership composition under the influence of foreign investment.