Japanese corporations phasing out integrated reports

Major Japanese corporations are transitioning away from traditional annual integrated reports in favor of more digital or consolidated disclosure methods.

Sony Group Corporation announced it will discontinue its annual integrated reports starting in 2026. The company intends to replace these reports with real-time updates of financial and non-financial data via dedicated sustainability and corporate web pages to improve information accessibility and timeliness. This move follows a debate regarding the high production costs and effectiveness of traditional reporting formats.

Following this trend, Kirin Holdings, Sony Group, and Mitsubishi Chemical Group have all signaled plans to phase out these reports. While Sony and Mitsubishi Chemical are moving toward web-based, continuous updates, Kirin Holdings plans to cease integrated reports by fiscal year 2027 and instead consolidate information into its official securities reports (Yukashoken Hokokusho). Kirin has also begun adopting Sustainability Standards Board of Japan (SSBJ) standards to provide third-party assurance for its disclosures.