Stakeholders vs Shareholders: The Clash of Corporate Governance Models in Japan’s Fujitec Ltd. and Oasis Management Showdown

Abstract

While UK/US firms, in response to efforts to become more sustainable and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, increasingly have been adopting a stakeholder model of corporate governance, the shareholder model that has dominated governance for the past several decades still exerts a great deal of influence over how UK/US firms behave. By contrast, Japan’s traditional model, emphasising community and long-term stability, lacks transparency. Recently, Japanese firms have begun aligning with UK/US governance, but this paper suggests the emergence of diverse sub-models, combining both models’ elements, will define the future. The case of Fujitec Ltd. and Oasis Management offers valuable insights for managers, policymakers, and practitioners to navigate international corporate governance complexities, support informed decision-making, and encourage effective stakeholder engagement.