Japan - promising transformative changes

Published:28 November 2023 16:13 CET
Analyst:
Nadiia D, Content Manager, nadiia.d@adviscent.com

The investment landscape in Japan is changing for the better. From corporate reforms and share buy-backs to changing investor perceptions and the influence of global players, the case for upgrading Japan to Overweight is strong. With an expected boost of demand from the Nippon Individual Savings Account (NISA) amendments and a resurgence in tourism, the future looks bright for investors.

JAPAN BACK ON INVESTOR S’ RADAR
Japan has long been a blind spot for investors, who suffered staggering losses on their equity holdings after the Japanese economy collapsed in the early 1990s. It has never recovered due to widespread economic mismanagement across the value chain. Yet Japan remains the world’s third-largest economy and, with China increasingly seen as ‘uninvestable’, it offers an alternative for investors seeking exposure to the Far East. Furthermore, it seems that Japan has learned what it takes to attract both domestic and international investors to its capital markets once again. Political and corporate reforms are the main reasons why we have upgraded the Japanese equity market from Neutral to Overweight. Indeed, there are some real gems ‘made in Japan’. Here are seven reasons to build exposure to Japanese equities.

Corporate reforms
The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) has initiated reforms that could potentially lead to a broad-based rerating of listed companies, essentially forcing companies to become more shareholder-friendly. The TSE now requires companies to disclose initiatives in three main areas – valuation improvements, better corporate governance, and restructuring – to avoid possible delisting or downgrading to a lower tier.

Increased share buy-backs
Japan has seen a steady increase in share buy-back announcements, and this capital return theme is driving investor interest in the market.

Domestic demand boost by NISA
The upcoming tax-free expansion of the NISA programme will begin in January 2024. The aim is to double the number of NISA accounts and purchases over five years and to double the equity allocation of Japanese households. This is expected to lead to a significant reallocation of Japanese household assets towards equities.

Investors’ changing perceptions
Japan is doing a lot to get back on international investors’ radars. A recent event in Tokyo, hosted by the Japanese prime minister, attracted huge (international) investor interest and media coverage.

Warren Buffett’s influence
Investors’ changing perception of the Japanese stock market is also due to Berkshire Hathaway’s substantial investment in Japanese tradingfirms, known as ‘sogoshosha’, which signals strong confidence in the Japanese market and has sparked renewed global interest.

Market size
Japan’s market has the largest average daily trading volume in Asia after China’s onshore market, surpassing even Hong Kong. Its depth and breadth could attract more significant international funds, potentially closing the gap with the leading Chinese exchanges.

Japan’s reopening to tourism
Japan’s tourism numbers are rapidly approaching pre-pandemic levels. Increased international flights and a weak currency are making travel to Japan more affordable. The country has also seen an increase in visitors from the US, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, offsetting the
decline in Chinese tourists.

SHARE BUY-BACKS: ANNOUNCED AND ACTUAL CONTINUE TO RISE

Source:

Data as at 25 August 2023

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