The median actual cash compensation for CEOs at major Japanese companies rose 35% year on year to ¥290 million in fiscal 2025. Performance-linked incentives accounted for approximately 60% of compensation, indicating further progress toward a Western-style compensation structure.
Nikkei reports on trends in CEO compensation at major Japanese companies, based on a survey by Mercer Japan. Median actual cash compensation was ¥290 million in fiscal 2025, up 35% from fiscal 2024.
The proportion of compensation consisting of incentives that rise or fall in line with performance is increasing. Performance-linked compensation accounted for approximately 60% of the total, pointing to a shift toward Western-style compensation structures.
The survey covered 225 companies included in the Nikkei 225 and also addressed specific disclosure trends, including the status of companies that disclosed CEO compensation in their annual securities reports.