Understanding EDINET Disclosure Documents
Structure and reading guide for Annual Securities Reports and the Semi-Annual Report
About 10 min
What you'll learn
Understand EDINET's role and the types of filings available
Grasp the main section structure of annual securities reports
Understand the difference between the Semi-Annual Report and the Annual Securities Report (the former Quarterly Report was abolished in April 2024)
Learn how to efficiently find EDINET filings using this site
Understand the differences in disclosure documents between listed and unlisted companies
Know the fiscal year settlement schedule for timely information gathering
Table of Contents
What is EDINET?
EDINET (Electronic Disclosure for Investors' NETwork) is the electronic disclosure system operated by Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA). It centralises every document that listed companies are required to file under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act — Annual Securities Reports, the Semi-Annual Report, large-shareholding reports, and similar 'statutory disclosure documents'. Following the April 2024 FIEA amendment, quarterly reports were abolished and consolidated into the Semi-Annual Report.
- Electronic disclosure system operated by Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA)
- Centralized repository of statutory filings (Annual Securities Reports, Semi-Annual Reports, etc.) from listed companies
- Structured data in a standardized format, enabling machine-readable financial analysis
- Disclosure Search leverages EDINET data to present corporate financial information in an accessible format
Types of Disclosure Documents
120
Annual Securities Report (有価証券報告書)
Annually
The most comprehensive annual report covering business operations, financials, and risk factors
130
Amended Annual Securities Report
As needed
Corrections to the Annual Securities Report
140
Quarterly Report (四半期報告書) — abolished April 2024
— (legacy, archive only)
Removed by the April 2024 FIEA amendment. Q1/Q3 disclosure shifted to the earnings release (Tanshin) on TDnet; H1 disclosure shifted to the Semi-Annual Report
150
Amended Quarterly Report
As needed (legacy filings)
Corrections to pre-April-2024 Quarterly Reports
160
Semi-Annual Report (半期報告書)
Once a year (within 3 months of H1 end)
Reports first-half business performance and financial position. Since April 2024 this is the main statutory interim disclosure for listed companies
170
Amended Semi-Annual Report
As needed
Corrections to the Semi-Annual Report
| Doc Code | Document Name | Filing Frequency | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | Annual Securities Report (有価証券報告書) | Annually | The most comprehensive annual report covering business operations, financials, and risk factors |
| 130 | Amended Annual Securities Report | As needed | Corrections to the Annual Securities Report |
| 140 | Quarterly Report (四半期報告書) — abolished April 2024 | — (legacy, archive only) | Removed by the April 2024 FIEA amendment. Q1/Q3 disclosure shifted to the earnings release (Tanshin) on TDnet; H1 disclosure shifted to the Semi-Annual Report |
| 150 | Amended Quarterly Report | As needed (legacy filings) | Corrections to pre-April-2024 Quarterly Reports |
| 160 | Semi-Annual Report (半期報告書) | Once a year (within 3 months of H1 end) | Reports first-half business performance and financial position. Since April 2024 this is the main statutory interim disclosure for listed companies |
| 170 | Amended Semi-Annual Report | As needed | Corrections to the Semi-Annual Report |
Structure of the Annual Securities Report
- Part I: Corporate Information
- ☆ Section 1: Overview of the Company (history, business description, subsidiaries, employees)
- ★★★ Section 2: Business Overview (performance, strategy, risks, MD&A) — most important, read first
- ☆ Section 3: Facilities (capital expenditures, major facilities)
- ★★ Section 4: Filing Company Information (shares, dividends, officers, governance)
- ★★★ Section 5: Financial Information (consolidated & individual financial statements, notes) — the numbers themselves
- Part II: Information on Guarantors
- Audit Report
- Internal Control Report
Key Sections to Focus On
A critical section where management explains the factors behind financial performance and future outlook. Provides context that raw numbers alone cannot convey.
Lists the risks recognized by the company's management. Essential for understanding potential downsides in investment decisions.
Provides a comprehensive view of the group's financial position. Centers on the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.
Officers receiving over ¥100 million in compensation are individually disclosed. Helps assess management incentive structures.
Lists the top ~10 shareholders and their ownership percentages. Reveals ownership structure and stable shareholder presence.
An 'unqualified opinion' is the standard. Watch for 'qualified,' 'adverse,' or 'disclaimer of opinion' — these signal concerns about financial statement reliability.
Reading the MD&A and business risks sections reveals the company's future outlook.
How to Use This Site
Use the search bar on the homepage to find companies by name, securities code, or EDINET code, then browse the document list on the company page.
View structured financial data in the Financial Model to compare and analyze individual line items in financial statements.
Access the original PDF alongside structured data. Notes, charts, and other non-structured content are available in the PDF. From a company page, choose the PDF link in the 'Filings' list.
Add companies to your watchlist to stay updated when new disclosure documents are filed.
Listed vs. Unlisted Company Disclosure Documents
The types of disclosure documents companies must prepare and submit vary significantly depending on whether they are listed or unlisted, and which laws apply. Understanding each document type helps investors access the right information sources.
Annual Securities Report
○ (Required)
×
Within 3 months of fiscal year-end
Required
Semi-Annual Report
○ (Required)
×
Within 3 months of H1 end
Interim review
Earnings Release (Tanshin)
Exchange Rules
○ (Required)
×
30–45 days after fiscal year-end
Not required
Financial Statements (Companies Act)
Companies Act
○
○ (Large companies)
Before AGM
Large companies required
Tax Returns
Corporate Tax Act
○
○
Within 2 months of fiscal year-end
Not required
| Document | Legal Basis | Listed | Unlisted | Filing Deadline | Audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Securities Report | FIEA | ○ (Required) | × | Within 3 months of fiscal year-end | Required |
| Semi-Annual Report | FIEA | ○ (Required) | × | Within 3 months of H1 end | Interim review |
| Earnings Release (Tanshin) | Exchange Rules | ○ (Required) | × | 30–45 days after fiscal year-end | Not required |
| Financial Statements (Companies Act) | Companies Act | ○ | ○ (Large companies) | Before AGM | Large companies required |
| Tax Returns | Corporate Tax Act | ○ | ○ | Within 2 months of fiscal year-end | Not required |
EDINET hosts documents filed under the FIEA (annual securities reports and the Semi-Annual Report). The April 2024 FIEA amendment abolished the quarterly report; Q1/Q3 earnings releases (Tanshin) are published on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's TDnet.
Unlisted company financial information is generally not publicly available. Credit reporting agencies are the main source for business partner assessments.
Earnings releases prioritize speed over accuracy — figures may be revised in the subsequent annual report after audit completion.
For investment analysis, audited annual securities reports are the most reliable source. Use earnings releases for speed and annual reports for detailed analysis.
Fiscal Year Settlement Schedule
Listed companies follow a regular annual schedule for settlement and disclosure. Knowing the timing of each event enables timely access to the latest financial information.
Example: March Fiscal Year-End Company Schedule
Earnings Release
Preliminary full-year results published on TSE TDnet. The earliest source of annual performance data.
Annual Securities Report Filing
Audited detailed financial information filed on EDINET. The core document for investment analysis.
Annual General Meeting
Business reports and resolutions presented to shareholders. Companies Act financial statements are approved here.
Q1 Earnings Release (Tanshin)
April–June performance published on TDnet. The statutory quarterly report was abolished by the April 2024 FIEA amendment, so the Tanshin is now the primary Q1 source.
Q2 Earnings Release & Semi-Annual Report
April–September H1 results. Q2 Tanshin within 45 days; Semi-Annual Report (with interim review) filed to EDINET within 3 months.
Q3 Earnings Release (Tanshin)
April–December results disclosed on TDnet. Full-year forecast revisions often occur around this time. The Q3 quarterly report has been abolished.
About 70% of Japanese listed companies have March fiscal year-ends, but December (common for global firms) and other fiscal year-ends exist.
EDINET's search function lets you filter by filing date or accounting period for targeted research.
Earnings forecast revisions (upward or downward) are announced via timely disclosure as they occur.
Understanding the settlement schedule clarifies when and which documents to check. Build a habit of regularly monitoring EDINET for timely information.
Try Using EDINET Data
Search, browse, and explore EDINET disclosure data on this site.