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Wolters Kluwer Unveils Its Future Ready CFO Japan Report 2026

Wolters Kluwer has announced the release of the Future Ready CFO Japan Report 2026, showcasing the evolving landscape of corporate governance and financial management in Japan. The report indicates that executives in financial management are prioritizing disciplined governance as they continue to push for digital transformation. However, the findings reveal a cautious outlook, with only 57% of Japanese finance leaders anticipating significant change in budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis due to AI in the forthcoming three years. This figure falls below the global average by five percentage points.

Insights from Kumiko Minowa

Kumiko Minowa, Managing Director of Wolters Kluwer CCH Tagetik Japan, articulated key insights regarding the challenges faced by Japanese leadership:

"As we approach 2026, we observe a strong sense of responsibility among Japanese executives. The pressures that CFOs face globally are echoed within Japanese companies. Our top priority is ensuring that the adoption of digital solutions, particularly AI, strengthens governance, enhances accuracy, and builds stakeholder trust. This cautious approach reflects the belief that sustainable transformation is not just about speed, but should be built on robust risk management and long-term resilience."

Japanese CFO Leadership Model

While Japanese respondents foresee meaningful changes due to digitalization, the anticipated pace remains muted. The unique CFO leadership model in Japan is shaped by heightened concerns related to precision, risk management, ESG pressures, and demographic realities.

A Controlled Progression of AI and Digital Transformation

Japanese finance leaders are recognizing the potential of AI. However, before expanding automation, they call for clarity on its impact, return on investment (ROI), and governance frameworks. Here are some key findings from the report:

• - Expectations for AI-driven transformations in long-term strategy and financial modeling stand at 55%, alongside 54% for capital allocation and ROI analysis—both figures trailing the global standard by more than five points.
• - 34% cite the loss of human judgment and oversight as a primary concern regarding AI, exceeding the global average by over five points.
• - Concerns regarding data quality in Japan are at 27%, compared to the global figure of 37%.
• - Notably, 20% of Japanese financial management organizations find themselves in the lowest tier of digital maturity, signaling a deliberate approach towards governance-led digitalization.

This measured viewpoint emphasizes Japan's commitment to strong oversight in financial decision-making, value clarity, and maintaining human judgment throughout the process.

Sustainability As a Driving Business Force

Sustainability emerges as a crucial theme within the report, revealing that:

• - 38% believe sustainability pressures are impacting their organizations, significantly higher than the global average of 30%.
• - 35% anticipate major impacts at the role level over the next year, compared to 28% globally.
• - Long-term, 84% expect sustainability pressures to reshape senior financial management roles.
• - 30% identify workforce and demographic shifts as major organizational pressures, above the global average of 24%.

However, only 8% view sustainability and social responsibility as defining traits of future CFOs, indicating that Japan sees these factors more as strategic necessities at the corporate level rather than individual identities of CFOs.

Robustness in Risk and Regulatory Compliance

Risk governance continues to bolster Japan's financial management identity and organizational effectiveness:

• - 76% of respondents evaluate collaboration between financial management and other departments as effective.
• - 74% view collaborations involving CFOs, CTOs, CIOs, and CSOs similarly positively.
• - 73% believe the organization is effective in cultivating digital skills and talent.

This data underscores Japan's strong governance culture, strict self-assessments, and high standards for cross-departmental alignment.

Evolution of Talent and Leadership

Japanese talent profiles for future CFOs illustrate marked differences from global trends:

• - 59% regard expertise in risk and compliance as essential, compared to 49% globally.
• - 43% prioritize data analytics and digital literacy, falling short of the global average of 51%.
• - Expectations for CFOs to lead digital transformations and technology acceleration are lower relative to global standards.

Japan's evolving CFO talent model emphasizes governance, trustworthiness, and comprehensive risk management, with digital capabilities identified as areas needing enhancement.

Capital Allocation Decisions Reflecting Demographic Pressures

Japan’s capital allocation landscape is shaped by demographic realities, concerns over cybersecurity, and a cautious stance towards digital investments:

• - 33% mention global labor and demographic shifts as influencing capital allocation, surpassing the global average of 26%.
• - 30% recognize cybersecurity threats as significant factors, compared to 25% globally.
• - Only 25% cited digital transformation as a direct driver for capital investment, trailing behind the global average of 33%.
• - 54% foresee AI transforming capital allocation and ROI analyses over the next three years, which again is lower than the global average of 62%.

Japan’s capital strategy emphasizes digitalization aligned with governance, operational security, and demographic planning.

Conclusion: Defining Future Managerial Functions

The findings from the Future Ready CFO Japan Report 2026 reveal functions characterized by pressure from sustainability, demographic transitions, stringent governance, and a cautious approach to AI adoption. Strengthening digital maturity, enhancing analytical and technological competencies, and integrating AI-driven insights within a trusted governance framework will shape the future of financial management in Japan.

These consistent strengths in strategic reliability, risk-aligned decision-making, and long-term value orientation position CFOs to guide organizations through complex and rapidly changing management environments.

About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services across sectors such as healthcare, tax, accounting, finance, compliance, legal, regulation, and management, including ESG. By merging deep expertise with technology and services, Wolters Kluwer empowers clients to make critical daily decisions.

In 2025, Wolters Kluwer reported annual revenues of €6.1 billion, serving customers in over 180 countries, with operations in more than 40 countries and employing approximately 21,600 people globally. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands, with its stock listed on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and included in indices such as AEX, Euro Stoxx 50, and Euronext 100. It also offers a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program for the U.S. market (Ticker: WTKWY).

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