Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The power outage warning in Japan on March 22 highlights the precarious nature of energy security in Japan.  </li>
<li>The electricity supply issues come at a time when Japan grapples with high oil prices, Russian imports and still idled nuclear capacity. </li>
<li>The public attitude towards nuclear restarts is turning more positive. The primary beneficiaries will be <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-heavy-industries" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13613:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011 JP)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7797:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi Ltd (6501 JP)</a> , and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba Corp (6502 JP)</a> </li>
</ul>


The power outage warning in Japan on March 22 highlights the precarious nature of energy security in Japan.  
The electricity supply issues come at a time when Japan grapples with high oil prices, Russian imports and still idled nuclear capacity. 
The public attitude towards nuclear restarts is turning more positive. The primary beneficiaries will be Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011 JP) , Hitachi Ltd (6501 JP) , and Toshiba Corp (6502 JP) 


Is Japan Falling Back in Love with Nuclear Energy?

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<p>A few years ago I started this series, and I updated it last year. Since last year, it has been a top 10 insight in terms of views. </p><p>I personally think it is important for investors of all types to understand WHO OWNS WHAT. </p><p>Many fundamental investors are reticent to spend any time on this but there are many reasons why active investors in Japan should be interested in understanding the ownership and shareholder dynamics of passive investors in Japan.</p><div><p>Some of the places active investors will see their influence are:</p></div><div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Stories intermittently published about the BOJ's presence in Japanese ETFs (especially the fact that it owns 85+% of the outstanding ETF market),</li>
<li>Relatively constant interest in Nikkei 225 rebalances like the one we saw in July 2020, which helped push up <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-exchange-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11266:1" rel="noopener">Japan Exchange Group (8697 JP)</a> by 30+% from May to July, then helped it slide 13% in a week, or the changes in the Nikkei 225 review rules published earlier this year which may change what happens this September to a few large caps, and the announcement of the BOJ that it would no longer buy Nikkei 225 ETFs which started a long slide in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a> shares against comps and the Nikkei itself. Long "held up" by 'market inventory' and Nikkei 225 ETF buying, when the BOJ stopped, it removed the cushion and existing inventory holders had to sell out. </li>
<li>Then if you look at the shareholder structure of Fast Retailing today, you will see that it is STILL fundamentally a serious problem for large foreign active investors who would actually wish to take an <em>active</em> (but not activist) position. <em>Real World Float</em> on the stock is, by my calculation, less than 15% of shares outstanding. </li>
<li>The relatively recent policy of increased stewardship regarding the passive management portion of the GPIF (the Government Pension Investment Fund) - an investing heavyweight in Japan.</li>
<li>The timing and quantum of after-event support or overhang on corporate actions such as buybacks, secondary offerings, primary offerings, mergers, etc. </li>
<li>Index inclusions mean big flows. If you follow the insights on <strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/collections/topix-inclusion/insights?item=54585" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TOPIX Inclusions</a></strong> by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/janaghan-jeyakumar-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:3173" rel="noopener">Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA</a> and myself, you will often see big moves. Sometimes these stocks move 50% between when we write about them and when they go into the index. If you own them and are considering an exit, you need to know when to take profits, and the dynamic of the liquidity. If you are thinking about getting in for fundamental reasons, it pays to know early so you can get ahead of the major flow.</li>
<li>The return of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba Corp (6502 JP)</a> to the TSE First Section in Q1 this year changed the foreign shareholder percentage ownership, lowering it by 10%. Smartkarma readers knew this last year and in January, which prepared them for the June AGM when the shareholder category ownership was released.</li>
<li>The changes to the TSE's market structure, which will affect TOPIX membership, which will affect many companies' issuance, buyback, share cancellation, etc decisions over the next several months. They are doing this because of the TSE Prime listing rules which will effectively also determine whether or not they will be included in TOPIX in future, or whether they will fall out of TSE Prime and will see constant selling over late 2022 to early 2025. </li>
</ul>
<p>Of course, TOPIX is just over half of the passive tracking AUM in Japan. There's more. </p>
<p>Find out WHO OWNS WHAT in Japan Passive below the fold. </p>
</div>

A few years ago I started this series, and I updated it last year. Since last year, it has been a top 10 insight in terms of views. I personally think it is important for investors of all types to understand WHO OWNS WHAT. Many fundamental investors are reticent to spend any time on this but there are many reasons why active investors in Japan should be interested in understanding the ownership and shareholder dynamics of passive investors in Japan.Some of the places active investors will see their influence are:

Stories intermittently published about the BOJ's presence in Japanese ETFs (especially the fact that it owns 85+% of the outstanding ETF market),
Relatively constant interest in Nikkei 225 rebalances like the one we saw in July 2020, which helped push up Japan Exchange Group (8697 JP) by 30+% from May to July, then helped it slide 13% in a week, or the changes in the Nikkei 225 review rules published earlier this year which may change what happens this September to a few large caps, and the announcement of the BOJ that it would no longer buy Nikkei 225 ETFs which started a long slide in Fast Retailing (9983 JP) shares against comps and the Nikkei itself. Long "held up" by 'market inventory' and Nikkei 225 ETF buying, when the BOJ stopped, it removed the cushion and existing inventory holders had to sell out. 
Then if you look at the shareholder structure of Fast Retailing today, you will see that it is STILL fundamentally a serious problem for large foreign active investors who would actually wish to take an active (but not activist) position. Real World Float on the stock is, by my calculation, less than 15% of shares outstanding. 
The relatively recent policy of increased stewardship regarding the passive management portion of the GPIF (the Government Pension Investment Fund) - an investing heavyweight in Japan.
The timing and quantum of after-event support or overhang on corporate actions such as buybacks, secondary offerings, primary offerings, mergers, etc. 
Index inclusions mean big flows. If you follow the insights on TOPIX Inclusions by Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA and myself, you will often see big moves. Sometimes these stocks move 50% between when we write about them and when they go into the index. If you own them and are considering an exit, you need to know when to take profits, and the dynamic of the liquidity. If you are thinking about getting in for fundamental reasons, it pays to know early so you can get ahead of the major flow.
The return of Toshiba Corp (6502 JP) to the TSE First Section in Q1 this year changed the foreign shareholder percentage ownership, lowering it by 10%. Smartkarma readers knew this last year and in January, which prepared them for the June AGM when the shareholder category ownership was released.
The changes to the TSE's market structure, which will affect TOPIX membership, which will affect many companies' issuance, buyback, share cancellation, etc decisions over the next several months. They are doing this because of the TSE Prime listing rules which will effectively also determine whether or not they will be included in TOPIX in future, or whether they will fall out of TSE Prime and will see constant selling over late 2022 to early 2025. 

Of course, TOPIX is just over half of the passive tracking AUM in Japan. There's more. 
Find out WHO OWNS WHAT in Japan Passive below the fold. 


Market & Forensics Analyst, Beat the Street

Nimish Maheshwari

Market & Forensics Analyst

Beat the Street

Beat The Street was founded by Nimish Maheshwari and Sudarshan Bhandari, both of whom are Chartered Accountants by Profession, known for their expert analysis in the fields of Business, Sectoral analysis, and Corporate governance.

With a strong social media presence of 45,000+ Subscribers across various platforms, they are considered trusted voices in the industry. Their insights and analysis have been featured in some of India’s most prominent publications, including the Economic Times, Dalal Street Investment Journal, The Morning Context, and The Ken.

Their analysis on Bankrupt & Insolvent companies has been instrumental in saving investors from significant losses. They have a keen eye for identifying red flags and has identified exclusive redflags earlier in Vedanta, Nykaa, Dhani Services, Adani and many more.

Read Business Not Stock Prices

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Japan's Nikkei Stock Average has surged past its 1989 peak, fueled by global investor interest, corporate reforms, and innovative investment initiatives like the Nippon Individual Savings Account (NISA).</li>
<li>This resurgence marks a significant milestone in Japan's economic landscape, reflecting renewed investor confidence, structural reforms, and potential growth opportunities in the market.</li>
<li>The Nikkei's surpassing of its previous peak signals a shift in perception towards Japan's market potential, prompting investors to reconsider the country's economic trajectory and explore new avenues for investment.</li>
</ul>


Japan's Nikkei Stock Average has surged past its 1989 peak, fueled by global investor interest, corporate reforms, and innovative investment initiatives like the Nippon Individual Savings Account (NISA).
This resurgence marks a significant milestone in Japan's economic landscape, reflecting renewed investor confidence, structural reforms, and potential growth opportunities in the market.
The Nikkei's surpassing of its previous peak signals a shift in perception towards Japan's market potential, prompting investors to reconsider the country's economic trajectory and explore new avenues for investment.


Beyond the Bubble: A Deep Dive into the Forces Behind the Nikkei Index Surge

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Following up on our earlier cross-shareholding notes, in this note we look at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sumitomo-mitsui-financial-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:217:1" rel="noopener">Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316 JP)</a> cross-shareholding.</li>
<li>SMFG had a stake over US$100m in at least 47 listed Japanese stocks, amounting to a total of around US$17bn.</li>
<li>In this note, we take a look at its stakes in various companies to see which ones could possibly be candidates for further selldowns.</li>
</ul>


Following up on our earlier cross-shareholding notes, in this note we look at Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316 JP) cross-shareholding.
SMFG had a stake over US$100m in at least 47 listed Japanese stocks, amounting to a total of around US$17bn.
In this note, we take a look at its stakes in various companies to see which ones could possibly be candidates for further selldowns.


SMFG Cross-Shareholding - At Least US$17bn of Cross-Shareholding to Sell, Planning to Speed It Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35638:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Bank (5838 JP)</a> (RB),  the online banking arm of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Group (4755 JP)</a>, raised around US$630m in its Japan IPO. Its IPO linked lockup will expire soon.</li>
<li>RB is the largest internet bank in Japan, by number of accounts. As of Jun 23, it had 14.0m deposit accounts with a total deposit base of JPY9.4tn.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the lock-up dynamics and updates since our last note.</li>
</ul>



Rakuten Bank (5838 JP) (RB),  the online banking arm of Rakuten Group (4755 JP), raised around US$630m in its Japan IPO. Its IPO linked lockup will expire soon.
RB is the largest internet bank in Japan, by number of accounts. As of Jun 23, it had 14.0m deposit accounts with a total deposit base of JPY9.4tn.
In this note, we will talk about the lock-up dynamics and updates since our last note.


Rakuten Bank IPO Lock-Up - Parent and Company Will Come Out of Lockup

Japan

Seibu Holdings Inc. offers diversified operation. The Company through its subsidiary companies operates transportation, construction, hotel, leisure facilities, and real estate business. Seibu Holdings provides group enterprises strategy planning, operation management, asset management and supply, and business promotions.

Keihan Holdings Co., Ltd. mainly provides passenger rail and bus transportation in Osaka and Kyoto prefectures.  The Company operates department stores, hotels, travel agents, and restaurants in the vicinity of its railway system.  The Company leases and sells real estate and offers a wide range of construction works.

Nisshinbo Holdings Inc. manufactures cotton fabrics, synthetic textiles, and chemical products used in apparel and industrial materials.  The Company also makes a variety of paper products, electronics products for wireless communication devices and semiconductors, and specialized machines for industrial manufacturing. In addition, Nisshinbo makes brakes for automobiles.

TOKAI Holdings Corporation is a holding company established through reorganization of TOKAI CORPORATION and VIC TOKAI CORPORATION.  The Group mainly provides energy business and information-communication business.  TOKAI Holdings Corporation also provides construction and real estate, bridal and insurance and security businesses.

Katakura Industries Co., Ltd. operates in a range of business segments. The Company manfucatures and sells clothing and textile products, pharmaceutical products, automobile parts, fire pump cars and agricultural machinery. Katakura also operates shopping and home centers, the leasing of real estate and the provision of building management services.

Mie Kotsu Group Holdings, Inc. through its subsidiaries, provides bus and taxi transportation services in Mie prefecture. The company also sells, leases and manages houses, apartment and commercial facilities. In addition, Mie Kotsu operates department stores, hotels, and leisure-related services and construction works.

OBAYASHI CORPORATION is a general contractor operating nationwide and overseas. The Company builds commercial, residential, institutional buildings with earthquake-resistant technology.  Obayashi also performs civil engineering works for such as railroads.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, operates real estate, golf course, and financial businesses.

KAJIMA CORPORATION is a general contractor operating nationwide and overseas. The Company builds commercial, residential, and institutional buildings with high-rise and earthquake-resistant construction technology.  Kajima also performs large scale civil engineering works such as nuclear power plants. The Company operates real estate and office automation equipment businesses.

Nippi, Incorporated. manufactures gelatin and collagen peptides for food products, health foods, and pharmaceutical, photographic film and printing paper.  The Company manufactures leather for shoes, bags, car interiors and clothing.

Minebea Mitsumi manufactures and markets miniature and instrument ball bearings.  The Company also makes DC motors, servo motors, stepping motors, spindle motors, pivot assemblies, rod-end and spherical bearings, fasteners, and computer keyboards. Minebea Mitsumi has production facilities in Thailand and Singapore.

Keppel Corporation Limited's core businesses are offshore and marine, infrastructure, property investment and development, telecommunications and transportation, energy, and engineering.

Samsung C&T Corporation conducts diversified business support services and resort operation activities. The Company offers a range of services in areas including clothing retail, construction, energy, real estate, food service, and resort accommodations. Samsung C&T also operates a resort with amusement rides, a zoo, water park, golf clubs, and restaurants.

LG Corp. is a holding company, which operates subsidiaries including LG Electronics, LG Household & Health Care, LG Chem Ltd., and Dacom Corp. The Company's main business areas are electronics, chemicals, and household products manufacturing and telecommunications services.

Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited is a multinational enterprise with a portfolio of businesses focused on the Asia-Pacific region. The Group's activities include financial services, supermarkets, consumer marketing, engineering and construction, automobile trading, insurance broking, property investment, and hotels.

SM Investments Corporation is an investment holding company. The Company operates retail business and develops shopping mall and other real estate property.  The Company also provides tourism services.

Smiths Group plc is a global technology company.  The company delivers products and services for the threat & contraband detection, medical devices, energy and communications market worldwide.

Lifco AB operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides dental products, machinery and tools, sawmill equipment, contract manufacturing, vehicle interiors, and environmental technology. Lifco offers its products through a network of subsidiaries and partnerships worldwide.

Grupo Carso SAB de CV is a holding company with subsidiaries in the construction ,retail and industrial materials industries. The Company's products and services include: oil platform construction; shoping centers, industrial facilities and corporate buildings construction; highway construction; dam and aqueduct construction; steel tubes; and housing.

KOC Holding A.S. is a holding company. The Company has interests in manufacturers of automobiles, household appliances, consumer electronics, textiles, construction materials and other goods, food processers, liquefied petroleum gas distributors, insurance, factoring, lease financing, and securities brokerage companies, and banks.

Enka Insaat ve Sanayi AS provides construction and construction related services worldwide. The Company builds infrastructure, commercial projects and factories. The manufacturing subsidiaries produce construction materials, steel pipes, windows and hand tools. The Group also imports and distributes industrial machinery in Turkey.

Toshiba Corporation manufactures and markets electrical and electronic products. The Company's products include digital products such as PCs and televisions, NAND flash memories, and system LSIs (large-scale integrated), as well as social infrastructures such as power generators, medical equipment, and home appliances.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Toshiba Corp (6502 JP)

Is Japan Falling Back in Love with Nuclear Energy?

Japan has a love/hate relationship with Nuclear Energy. We think that relationship will turn more positive again and highlight 3 key stocks to Buy

Mark Chadwick

JAPAN PASSIVE: Who Owns What 2021?

This is the 2021 Version of Who Owns What in Japan Passive. It tries to present a relatively comprehensive idea of how much money/float tracks the...

Travis Lundy

Beyond the Bubble: A Deep Dive into the Forces Behind the Nikkei Index Surge

Japan's Nikkei Stock Average surpasses 1989 peak, driven by global interest, reforms, and innovative investment options like NISA, signaling...

Nimish Maheshwari

SMFG Cross-Shareholding - At Least US$17bn of Cross-Shareholding to Sell, Planning to Speed It Up

Following up on our earlier cross-shareholding notes, in this note we look at Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316 JP) cross-shareholding. SMFG...

Sumeet Singh

Rakuten Bank IPO Lock-Up - Parent and Company Will Come Out of Lockup

Rakuten has just announced that it will selldown some of its stake in Rakuten Bank in order to fund redemption of some of its bonds.

Sumeet Singh

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Is Japan Falling Back in Love with Nuclear Energy?

Japan has a love/hate relationship with Nuclear Energy. We think that relationship will turn more positive again and highlight 3 key stocks to Buy

Mark Chadwick

JAPAN PASSIVE: Who Owns What 2021?

This is the 2021 Version of Who Owns What in Japan Passive. It tries to present a relatively comprehensive idea of how much money/float tracks the...

Travis Lundy

Beyond the Bubble: A Deep Dive into the Forces Behind the Nikkei Index Surge

​Japan's Nikkei Stock Average surpasses 1989 peak, driven by global interest, reforms, and innovative investment options like NISA, signaling...

Nimish Maheshwari

SMFG Cross-Shareholding - At Least US$17bn of Cross-Shareholding to Sell, Planning to Speed It Up

Following up on our earlier cross-shareholding notes, in this note we look at Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316 JP) cross-shareholding. SMFG...

Sumeet Singh

Rakuten Bank IPO Lock-Up - Parent and Company Will Come Out of Lockup

Rakuten has just announced that it will selldown some of its stake in Rakuten Bank in order to fund redemption of some of its bonds.

Sumeet Singh

Japan's Nikkei Stock Average surpasses 1989 peak, driven by global interest, reforms, and innovative investment options like NISA, signaling...