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Converging to International Accounting Standards: Views from Japan
Author(s) -
Kaneko SeiIchi,
Tarca Ann
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
australian accounting review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.551
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1835-2561
pISSN - 1035-6908
DOI - 10.1111/j.1835-2561.2008.0026.x
Subject(s) - accounting , fair value , consolidation (business) , convergence (economics) , business , mark to market accounting , international financial reporting standards , accounting standard , capital market , european union , value (mathematics) , financial accounting , accounting information system , economics , finance , international trade , macroeconomics , machine learning , computer science
Many countries, including the European Union member states and Australia, adopted international accounting standards in 2005. This year was also critical in Japan for convergence activities. Based on a review of 2005 financial statements and a survey of securities analysts, this study identifies key issues for convergence of Japanese and international accounting standards. We find that accounting requirements relating to fair value measurement, comprehensive income items, leases and business combinations are relevant to Japanese firms. A survey of 974 members of the Security Analysts Association of Japan about these issues indicated support for convergence and the use of fair value measurement, disclosure of comprehensive income, recognition of leases and use of the purchase method for consolidation. We report support for several positions favoured by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), a positive signal for achieving convergence goals in Japan, which will be of interest to capital market participants in Japan and other countries .