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The role of Japanese corporate governance features in explaining rating differences between global and Japanese rating agencies

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  • Arikawa, Yasuhiro
  • Byoun, Soku
  • Han, Seung Hun
  • Pagano, Michael S.
  • Shin, Yoon S.

Abstract

Many Japanese bond issuers believe that global credit rating agencies (CRAs)—Moody's and S&P—do not consider the unique corporate governance structure in Japan and assign lower credit ratings even though the “main bank” relationship in Japan can significantly reduce the default risk of these companies. Using 5,814 rated corporate bonds issued by 558 non-financial firms in Japan from 2003 to 2021, we find that local CRAs (R&I and JCR) weigh unique Japanese corporate governance features more heavily and assign higher ratings to Japanese corporate bonds relative to global CRAs. Our results further suggest that the degree of rating differences between local and global CRAs for individual issuers results from systematically different assessments of company-specific risk by these CRAs. Our data also reveal that the importance of main bank ties in Japanese corporate governance remains intact in more recent years, contrary to previous findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Arikawa, Yasuhiro & Byoun, Soku & Han, Seung Hun & Pagano, Michael S. & Shin, Yoon S., 2024. "The role of Japanese corporate governance features in explaining rating differences between global and Japanese rating agencies," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:164:y:2024:i:c:s0378426624001328
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2024.107215
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Rating agency; Fixed income; Split ratings; Japanese capital markets; Main banks; Corporate governance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets

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