Nick Mitsuya, Japan Country Manager at NAVEX
Having an effective system in place for incident reporting and case management is a crucial factor in every compliance program. But that’s just a part of the process. Actually looking at, analyzing and benchmarking your data against your peers helps organizations answer crucial questions about their risk and compliance program. This broader perspective on how internal data performs relative to your market and industry is an invaluable source of knowledge and helps to inform stakeholders, the C-suite and board members, as well as decisions about your program.
With this report, we want to give Japanese organizations the ability to easily benchmark themselves directly against their local and regional peers. To facilitate this, NAVEX anonymizes data collected through our reporting and case management systems every year – this 2026 report presents data collected from reports received in 2025.
It is important to highlight that there are no “correct” outcomes in benchmarking data. Each organization faces a unique operating environment and culture. Our hope is that these metrics provide context for Japanese organizations seeking to improve how they view and speak about their internal reporting performance.
Concerns are reported less
Reporting volumes in Japan are lower than in the APAC region and significantly lower than global volumes, with 0.63 Reports per 100 Employees in Japan compared to 0.83 in APAC and 1.65 globally. That strongly reflects the observations from the beginning of this report – reporting volumes in Japan are highly influenced by cultural and corporate norms. Loyalty, harmony, and the avoidance of conflicts lead to lower reporting volumes.
Anonymous reports are the norm
Anonymous reporting in Japan aligns with the broader APAC benchmark, while both are notably higher than the global average by nine percentage points. This data suggests that, even though misconduct is being reported in Japan, due to the cultural factors mentioned earlier, employees may not yet feel comfortable enough to disclose their identities.
Reported misconduct is substantiated similarly across regions
Substantiation rates in Japan align with both APAC and global benchmarks, indicating that the outcomes of investigations across all regions are similar. Even though there are visible differences in reporting volumes or preferences regarding anonymous reporting, organizations across the globe are confirming reported misconduct at a similar rate.
Concerns are investigated thoroughly, but the response is slowed
Organizations in Japan take significantly longer to close cases compared to both APAC and the global average. With a median of 73 days, Case Closure Time in Japan is more than 2.5 times longer than the global median of 28 days. This may indicate a more thorough approach to received concerns, considering the cultural norms that govern corporate behavior in Japan. At the same time, a long case closure time means the organization may be perceived as responding more slowly to reported concerns.
Workplace conduct is the most reported risk category
The most reported risk category in Japan is Workplace Conduct – with 50% of reports addressing this issue – which is consistent across all regions.
Business Integrity is the second most prevalent risk category in Japan and APAC – with 24.5% of reports addressing this issue – exceeding the global average by more than four percentage points. This again reflects the importance of expected behavior in Japan’s corporate environments.
Another notable benchmark within the risk categories is Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting. While the overall share of reports in this category is relatively low, the percentage in APAC is nearly double that of Japan. This is particularly interesting given that Japan is part of the APAC region, suggesting that other countries in this region are driving higher reporting levels in this area.
Web reporting is the primary intake method
Japan shows a strong preference for web-based reporting, with 76% of reports submitted online. This is significantly higher than APAC at 61% and well above the global average of 34%. This trend likely reflects the previously noted preference for anonymous reporting in Japanese organizations, as digital intake channels make it easier to report concerns without disclosing one’s identity.
Key considerations for compliance leaders in Japan
See more in the full reportFewer reports. More anonymity. Longer case closure times. And many organizations without formal speak-up measures.
In Japan, where workplace harmony and hierarchical structures can make raising concerns more difficult, these trends signal more than operational challenges – they point to underlying barriers to speaking up.
Strengthening speak-up frameworks in ways that build trust, ensure anonymous reporting is available, and align with evolving regulatory expectations can help organizations surface concerns earlier, respond more effectively, and foster a culture where speaking up is both safe and supported.
Meet the authors
Carrie Penman
Chief Risk & Compliance Officer
NAVEX
Linda Meikle
Associate Director, Content Marketing
NAVEX
Eric Gneckow
Senior Content Marketing Manager
NAVEX
Isabella Oakes
Data Scientist Specialist
NAVEX
Anders Olson
Senior Manager, Data Science
NAVEX
Nick Mitsuya
Japan Country Manager
NAVEX
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