Japanese corporate annual dividends at record levels again

TOKYO — Dividends to be paid by Japanese companies are expected to total 15.2 trillion yen during the fiscal year ending March 2024, setting a new record for the third consecutive year, Nikkei has learned from compiling forecasts by listed companies.

Many Japanese companies are working to move away from price-to-book-value (P/B) ratios below 1, as those risk undermining shareholder value.