The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) welcomes the recent regulatory changes announced by the Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA) on 11 December 2009. The changes establish an operational framework for the voluntary application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) in Japan, starting from the fiscal year ending on or after 31 March 2010 and represent an important step towards the adoption of IFRSs in Japan.
The changes to the Cabinet Office Ordinances provide listed companies that meet particular criteria the option of preparing their consolidated financial statements according to IFRSs, for fiscal years ending on or after 31 March 2010. The changes also end, for fiscal years ending after 31 March 2016, the option for some Japanese listed companies to submit their consolidated financial statements according to US generally accepted accounting principles.
In announcing the changes, the FSA is following the roadmap for the Application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Japan (Interim Report) released by the Business Accounting Council (BAC), an important advisory body to the Commissioner of the FSA, in June 2009. In the interim report the BAC proposed allowing an early adoption of IFRSs by listed companies followed by mandatory adoption of IFRSs from 2015 or 2016, with a final decision on the mandatory requirements being taken around 2012.