Reducing the operational burden for clients by developing and providing disclosure support systems
We view, as a critical challenge, the streamlining, increased efficiency and reduced burden of disclosure operations for our clients, and are pushing ahead with investments in system development and creation of framework.
We have developed an enhanced version of PRONEXUS WORKS, our disclosure support system, and are pouring our efforts into system development aimed at streamlining and increasing efficiency and accuracy for processes from front-end disclosure in account settlements to disclosure itself. Based on this concept, we released WORKS-Core in April 2017 in addition to WORKS-i, which we have been providing since 2010. In this way, we ensure a more direct link between a client's account settlement and disclosure, and make it possible to provide broad-ranging operational support.
We also worked to improve the functions and convenience of the FUND DOCUMENT SYSTEM (FDS) that provides disclosure operation support for investment trust companies, and the PRONEXUS REAMAS disclosure management support system for Japan real estate investment trusts (J-REITs).
Providing consulting on appropriate disclosure and information that meets the clients' needs
The Disclosure Consultation Division provides information on changes to laws, standards and regulations related to disclosure and offers consultation that includes advice and checks on disclosure documents. Around 80 dedicated staff respond in detail to client requirements based on an organizational framework linked with themes such as the Companies Act, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, IPOs and J-REITs. In addition, since the 1970s brochures and guidebooks have been regularly issued to assist with operations, providing more detailed information and increasing understanding. Some brochures and guidebooks are edited each year in 38 categories.
Since the first disclosure-related seminar in 1988, the Seminar Business Division has steadily expanded the target and themes of its seminars. Currently, we give more than 1,000 seminars annually to about 30,000 participants. The seminars target general businesspeople, beginning with member companies, and focus on the operational needs of listed companies and companies aspiring to be listed, as well as other unique themes.
Divisions in charge of IR have held corporate IR and individual investor support events planned as part of a Radio Nikkei program that we have sponsored since 2012 called "Asa-ichi Market Square Asazai" as well as Asazai IR special seminars. In this way, we provide our client companies with a forum where they can communicate with individual investors. We also hold regular free seminars for the person in charge of IR in major cities throughout Japan, which are given by PRONEXUS's IR consultants.
Developing and providing new services with higher added value and improving quality
In addition to supporting disclosure operations through systems and consulting, the PRONEXUS Group provides disclosure BPO services where we handle the disclosure operations ourselves. We have teamed up with DISCLOSURE Pro Inc., a company of specialists that include certified public accountants, to provide comprehensive support that covers a range of services from advance preparation for disclosure documents to practical operations using our systems, draft checks, TDnet disclosure and EDINET submissions. This contributes to greater operational efficiency, cost reductions and resolution of problems, such as resource shortages, for our clients.
Our Quality Management Division, the base of our Company-wide Quality Measures Committee, plays the central role in promoting the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle for quality management systems as an initiative to raise quality. This boosts awareness of quality issues and speeds up problem solving. In addition, we participate in the NPS Management Institute, which carries out quality and productivity improvements that spring from the Toyota Production System and use this in improvement activities for our company. Moreover, sales divisions regularly hold meetings to share best practices for quality that target the managers in charge. Information is shared on ways to ensure quality and every effort is made to resolve issues.
