Corporate financial reports on the Japanese stock market are in Japanese. What should I do if I can't understand them? Is there an English version available?

Japanese Stock MarketCorporate Financial ReportsLanguage BarrierEnglish TranslationInvestment Research
Created At: 8/8/2025Updated At: 8/17/2025
Answer (1)

Hello! I totally get this question. When I first started researching Japanese stocks, I was completely overwhelmed by financial reports that looked like "gibberish." Don't worry, there are solutions, and you'll find it's not as complicated once you get used to it.

Based on my experience, here's how to tackle this problem.

Core Answer: Yes, but not always

First, a direct answer to your question: Many Japanese companies, especially large, internationally prominent ones (like Toyota, Sony, Nintendo – names you definitely know), provide English versions of their financial reports and related materials.

However, not all companies do this. Many smaller companies focused solely on the domestic market might only offer Japanese versions.

So, our strategy is: Look for the English version first. If you can't find it, then figure out how to tackle the Japanese one.

Move 1: Where to find official English reports?

This is usually the first and most reliable step.

  1. The Investor Relations (IR) page on the company's website

    • This is the most direct place. Start by Googling the company name, e.g., "Toyota Motor".
    • Once on the official site, look for a link labeled Investor Relations or IR. Sometimes it might be in Japanese: 投資家情報.
    • Inside the IR section, there's usually a library (IR Library or 財務・業績ライブラリー) categorizing reports, earnings call transcripts, presentation slides, etc. Many large companies provide both English (English) and Japanese (日本語) versions here.

  2. Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) Disclosure Website

    • All listed Japanese companies must disclose reports through a system called TDnet (Timely Disclosure network). Think of it as the official "bulletin board."
    • You can find this disclosure section on the TSE website. While the site itself is in English, the original documents uploaded by companies might still be in Japanese. However, if an English version exists, the company usually uploads it here too.

Move 2: What if there really is NO English version?

You've hit a tough one. Don't give up; we have "tools" for this.

  1. Leverage Translation Tools: DeepL and Google Translate

    • Strongly recommend DeepL. It generally offers better accuracy and fluency than Google Translate for complex languages like Japanese, especially regarding context.
    • How to use them?
      • Webpage Translation: If the report is a webpage, use Chrome's built-in translation feature or the DeepL browser extension to translate the whole page instantly.
      • PDF File Translation: This is most common. Drag-and-drop the PDF file directly into the DeepL desktop app or website. It will generate a translated PDF, preserving the original formatting remarkably well.
    • ⚠️ Crucial Reminder: Machine translation is NOT 100% accurate! Errors can occur, especially with critical financial figures and technical terms. For example, it might mess up decimal points or confuse "operating profit" with "net profit." Therefore, use the translation to grasp the general meaning, but always double-check key data against the original Japanese text.

  2. Focus on the Key Document: The "Earnings Summary (決算短信 / Kessan Tanshin)"

    • Japanese companies produce various reports, but the most important one is called 決算短信 (Kessan Tanshin).
    • Think of this as the "executive summary" of the financial results. It's usually just a few to a dozen pages long. The very first page contains the most crucial core data table – sales, profits, earnings per share (EPS), and forecasts for the next period.
    • Even if you don't understand Japanese at all, the Arabic numerals and tables on the first page will give you the essential picture. Just memorize a few key Japanese terms.

Move 3: Learn a few key "spells" (Japanese Keywords)

Knowing these terms will make your search much easier:

  • 決算短信 (Kessan Tanshin): Earnings Summary – look at this first, as mentioned above!
  • 決算説明会資料 (Kessan Setsumeikai Shiryou): Earnings Presentation Materials. Usually in PPT format, visual and easier to grasp than text-heavy reports! Contains charts and graphs – trends are often clear even without the language.
  • 有価証券報告書 (Yuuka Shouken Houkokusho): This is the full "Annual Securities Report," extremely detailed, equivalent to the US 10-K filing. Comprehensive but very long – best for deep dives.
  • English / 英語: Obvious! Click this if you see it!

My Recommendation: A Simple Workflow

If you want to research a Japanese company, try this process:

  1. Step 1: Go to the company's official website, find the Investor Relations (IR) page.
  2. Step 2: Look for the English version on the IR page. If found, great! Download the latest Financial Results (決算短信 / Kessan Tanshin) and Presentation Materials (決算説明会資料).
  3. Step 3: If no English version, find the Japanese 決算短信 (Kessan Tanshin) and 決算説明会資料 (Kessan Setsumeikai Shiryou).
  4. Step 4: Use DeepL to translate the PDF files. Quickly scan the translated presentation to understand the business overview and trends.
  5. Step 5: Go back and carefully read the first page of the translated 決算短信. Note down key financial data (sales, profits, etc.) and any metrics you care about. Cross-check these numbers with the original Japanese text to catch any translation errors.
  6. Step 6: Supplement your understanding with English financial news coverage (e.g., Reuters, Bloomberg, Nikkei Asia) about the company for cross-verification.

In summary, understanding Japanese financial reports is a hurdle, but definitely not an insurmountable wall. By leveraging English materials from large companies, powerful translation tools, and focusing on the critical Kessan Tanshin, you'll get the hang of it quickly.

Hope this helps! Best of luck with your investing!

Created At: 08-08 21:50:37Updated At: 08-10 02:28:36