Measures to Strengthen the Effectiveness of Corporate Governance
The Company conducts an annual evaluation on the effectiveness of the Board of Directors, and strives to continuously enhance the functions and effectiveness of the Board of Directors from the two viewpoints of “enhancing trust from stakeholders (creating social value)” and “improving organizational performance (enhancing corporate value).” We work on the improvement measures for issues identified by the evaluation, and confirm the status of improvement during the evaluation of the Board of Directors in the following fiscal year, while at the same time continuing to confirm the evaluation of the current issues.
Evaluation Process
Starting from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, we have changed to a method of analyzing and/or evaluating the effectiveness of the Board of Directors using a third-party evaluation design (including, among other things, preparation and analysis of questionnaire survey as well as comparison with other companies, identifying issues, drafting action plans).
The analysis and/or evaluation based on the questionnaire survey and interviews using the third-party evaluation design is conducted every other year. During the interval year, we focus on initiatives to improve the issues identified from the questionnaire survey, while at the same time conducting evaluation through monitoring and by collecting opinions at the Independent External Auditors & Directors Meeting for the Effectiveness of Board of Directors.
As for the effectiveness evaluation for the current fiscal year (ended March 31, 2026), using a third party, we conducted a questionnaire survey of all Directors and Audit and Supervisory Board Members and collected their opinions through interviews.
Since the current fiscal year is the last fiscal year of the medium-term management plan (revised) (announced in November 2023) and the fiscal year in which the next medium-term management plan is developed, for the evaluation, we considered evaluation items focusing on the supervisory function that should be performed from now on preparing for the discussion about the formulation of the medium- to long-term management plan and aiming for the achievement of targets by swiftly responding to the opportunities and risks associated with the changes in the business environment.
The evaluation items of the questionnaire survey are as follows. In particular, to gather constructive comments, such as items on which the Board of Directors should focus from the next fiscal year (ending March 31, 2027) onwards, many fields for free descriptive answers were inserted.
- i) roles of the Board of Directors
- ii) structure of the Board of Directors
- iii) quality of discussions (agendas, content of materials, etc.)
- iv) accountability to stakeholders
Evaluation Results of Effectiveness and Progress on Initiatives for Improvement
With the deliberation by the Board of Directors based on the answers to the questionnaire survey and the interview, we confirmed that, particularly to make the next medium-term management plan feasible, during the formulation process, following discussion was carried out by not only by the Board of Directors but also by the Committee for Group Strategy, in which the management that executes business and all independent officers (External Directors (Independent) and External Audit and Supervisory Board Members (Independent)) attend, for 23 times, and the effectiveness is secured.
- i) To carry out discussions with market uncertainty in mind considering changes in the environment, the Board of Directors consists of members with various knowledge and experience, and each member actively presents his/her opinion from his/her perspective.
- ii) While flexibly adapting to environmental changes, the Board of Directors and the Group Management Meeting continue discussions on strategies and set an appropriate agenda depending on the conditions.
- iii) A wide range of work-site inspection opportunities is ensured for External Officers. The Secretarial Office also actively presents proposals and executes operations that contribute to deepening understanding of business.
Meanwhile, to achieve the targets of the next medium-term management plan, we acknowledge the issues stated under “Evaluation Result (Issues and Concerns)” and “Improvement Initiatives (Measures)” in the table below from the viewpoint of steady execution of the set measures and swift adaptation to the changes in the environment. We will continue monitoring and improve the effectiveness through initiatives by the management that executes business.
Assessments of the Effectiveness of the Board of Directors and Improvement Measures
| Evaluation Result (Issues and Concerns) | Progress/Plan of Initiatives for Improvement | |
|---|---|---|
| Current Fiscal Year (ended March 31, 2026) Evaluation results on issues identified in previous years |
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(Activity status) (Plan) |
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(Activity status) (Plan) |
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(Activity status) (Plan) |
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(Activity status) (Plan) |
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(Activity status) (Plan) |
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(Activity status) (Plan) Our plan is to further strengthen the supervisory and/or advisory functions of our Board of Directors by further utilizing the knowledge of External Directors (Independent), in addition to implementing the initiatives described above. |
Revisions in Wacoal’s Corporate Governance System
| 1977 | Wacoal issues ADRs*(American Depositary Receipts) |
Wacoal becomes the eighth Japanese company to issue ADRs. Upon issuance, the SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) requires consolidated financial statements and accounting reports in accordance with U.S. GAAP. |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Introduction of the corporate officer system → Number of directors: 13 → 9 |
In June 2002, the Company employs a corporate officer system in order to delegate authority and clarify responsibility more appropriately and efficiently. At the same time, the number of directors is reduced. |
| 2005 | Establishment of a pure holding company | The Company transfers to a pure holding company system to facilitate decision-making on Groupwide strategy, to optimize the allocation of resources, and to clarify the responsibilities and authority of operating companies so that they can execute operations flexibly. |
| Appointment of outside officers | To promote the fairness and independence of the Board of Directors and the Audit & Supervisory Board, the Group increases the number of outside directors by two members and the number of outside Audit & Supervisory Board members by one member. | |
| 2007 | Establishment of the Executive Compensation Advisory Committee → Number of committee members (including outside directors): 4 |
Regarding the appointment, promotion, and remuneration of the directors and executive officers, the Executive Compensation Advisory Committee, chaired by the director of the Administrative Department, is established with outside directors included as members. |
| 2010 | Registration of all outside officers with the Tokyo Stock Exchange as independent officers → Number of independent officers registered: 6 |
All outside directors and outside Audit & Supervisory Board members are registered with the Tokyo Stock Exchange as independent officers. |
| 2015 | Establishment of the Independent Outside Officers Meeting | The Independent Outside Officers Meeting is established with the intention of sharing information about improving corporate governance, meetings of the Board of Directors, internal audits, etc. The committee includes independent outside officers. |
| 2018 | Establishment of the Executive Compensation Advisory Committee and the Executive Nomination Advisory Committee | The Executive Compensation Advisory Committee, which was established in 2007, becomes the Executive Compensation Advisory Committee and the Executive Nomination Advisory Committee. |
| 2021 | Introduction of Compensation Framework in the Form of Restricted Stock | We have introduced a restricted stock compensation plan for Directors (excluding outside directors)and discontinue the share-based stock options, for further sharing of price fluctuation risk with our shareholders and increasing incentives to contribute to the improvement of share price and corporate value. |
| 2022 | Revised the ratio of base compensation and stock compensation | Compensation of Officers consists of "base compensation," "performance-based bonuses," and "Transfer-restricted stock compensation. Revised the ratios of stock compensation to basic compensation so that stock compensation accounts for a larger percentage of the compensation of officers as they rise in rank. |
| 2024 | Introduction of Performance-Linked Stock Remuneration Plan | We have introduced a Performance Share Unit for directors (excluding External directors) in order to clarify the link between compensation and company performance and our share value, and to further increase motivation to contribute to improving our corporate value. |
* In 2013, Wacoal stopped listing ADRs on the U.S. NASDAQ market and de-registered with the SEC.



