Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

Equity Bottom-Up

<p>Last year saw the launch of a new netsuper by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amazon-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:409:1" rel="noopener">Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/life-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1743:1" rel="noopener">Life Corp (8194 JP)</a>. The combination of the leading e-commerce retailer and the country’s top supermarket chain makes this one of the strongest contenders in the race for online food sales, particularly as Life is under the control of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20668:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP)</a> – although <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Inc (4755 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/z-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19603:1" rel="noopener">Z Holdings (4689 JP)</a> aren’t standing still.</p>
<p>Amazon is now expanding its tie-up with Life and plans to bring in Valor as a new partner later this year and is highly likely to add further partnerships going forward.</p>

Last year saw the launch of a new netsuper by Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US) and Life Corp (8194 JP). The combination of the leading e-commerce retailer and the country’s top supermarket chain makes this one of the strongest contenders in the race for online food sales, particularly as Life is under the control of Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP) – although Rakuten Inc (4755 JP) and Z Holdings (4689 JP) aren’t standing still.
Amazon is now expanding its tie-up with Life and plans to bring in Valor as a new partner later this year and is highly likely to add further partnerships going forward.

Amazon Adds Partnership with Valor in Race for Japan Online Food Retail Leadership

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• LARGE CAP RESULTS - 9th APRIL •</strong></p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/934/original/2021-04-11_07-45-16.png?1618170004" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199934"></figure></section><p><strong>RESULTS </strong>- Again, less than half of the 60 results announcements from Friday scored positively. Of the largest-cap stocks reporting, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3:1" rel="noopener">Aeon (8267 JP)</a> is still mired in net losses and is underperforming most of its listed subsidiaries. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yaskawa-electric-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2458:1" rel="noopener">Yaskawa Electric (6506 JP)</a> saw its first quarterly year-on-year sales gain since Y19-Q1 and is forecasting (see below) a return to near-double-digit operating margins this year. For more, see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/mio-kato" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:713" rel="noopener">Mio's </a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/yaskawa-is-sigma-x-going-to-drive-large-margin-gains" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50190" rel="noopener">Yaskawa – Is Sigma-X Going to Drive Large Margin Gains?</a>.  Amongst mid-cap construction machinery companies, the divergence between <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/takeuchi-mfg-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15344:1" rel="noopener">Takeuchi Mfg (6432 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/giken-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8955:1" rel="noopener">Giken (6289 JP)</a> is notable.     </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/937/original/image_41476225521618176041754.png?1618176043" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199937"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/938/original/image_43430948031618176155426.png?1618176156" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199938"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/939/original/image_15842165641618176543024.png?1618176544" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199939"></figure><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• LARGE CAP FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 9th APRIL •</strong></p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/936/original/2021-04-11_07-45-32.png?1618170242" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199936"></figure></section><p><strong>FORECASTS/REVISIONS</strong> - Just 65% of the annual revisions announced were positive, with Yasukawa the leading large-cap. In contrast to its results, Aeon is expecting to beat its listed grocery chain subsidiaries - all of whom are forecasting declines in profits. </p>

• LARGE CAP RESULTS - 9th APRIL •RESULTS - Again, less than half of the 60 results announcements from Friday scored positively. Of the largest-cap stocks reporting, Aeon (8267 JP) is still mired in net losses and is underperforming most of its listed subsidiaries. Yaskawa Electric (6506 JP) saw its first quarterly year-on-year sales gain since Y19-Q1 and is forecasting (see below) a return to near-double-digit operating margins this year. For more, see Mio's Yaskawa – Is Sigma-X Going to Drive Large Margin Gains?.  Amongst mid-cap construction machinery companies, the divergence between Takeuchi Mfg (6432 JP) and Giken (6289 JP) is notable.     • LARGE CAP FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 9th APRIL •FORECASTS/REVISIONS - Just 65% of the annual revisions announced were positive, with Yasukawa the leading large-cap. In contrast to its results, Aeon is expecting to beat its listed grocery chain subsidiaries - all of whom are forecasting declines in profits. 

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 04/​​​​​09 - Aeon, Giken & Takeuchi

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div><p>The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.</p></div><div><p>For the week from 22-26 March, Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baidu-inc-a55ca720-5968-48f0-8194-ac94390d065c" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32212:1" rel="noopener">Baidu (9888 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yihai-int-l-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22803:1" rel="noopener">Yihai Int’L Holding (1579 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beijing-kuaishou-technology-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29725:1" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lenovo-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13359:1" rel="noopener">Lenovo (992 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sino-biopharmaceutical" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:230:1" rel="noopener">Sino Biopharmaceutical (1177 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haier-smart-home-co-ltd-b3ef445f-0f54-4586-8c58-9073de98d60e" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31105:1" rel="noopener">Haier Smart Home Co Ltd (6690 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc. (9618 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-literature-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24388:1" rel="noopener">China Literature (772 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in the Communication Services, Financials, Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary sectors.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yaskawa-electric-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2458:1" rel="noopener">Yaskawa Electric (6506 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/base-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28353:1" rel="noopener">BASE Inc (4477 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba Corp (6502 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3:1" rel="noopener">Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/peptidream-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13514:1" rel="noopener">Peptidream Inc (4587 JP)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/takeda-pharmaceutical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11747:1" rel="noopener">Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/monex-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14211:1" rel="noopener">Monex Group Inc (8698 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pan-pacific-international-holdings-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13475:1" rel="noopener">Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nexon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16032:1" rel="noopener">Nexon (3659 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mizuho-financial-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:219:1" rel="noopener">Mizuho Financial Group (8411 JP)</a>. Shorts increased in the Industrials sectors, and decreased in the Financials, Communication Services and Health Care sectors.</p></div><div><p>In Korea, shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:991:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Inc (068270 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-biologics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22932:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Biologics Co., (207940 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-hynix-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16955:1" rel="noopener">SK Hynix (000660 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyundai-motor-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:155:1" rel="noopener">Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS)</a> during the week. </p></div><div><p>Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/largan-precision-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9126:1" rel="noopener">Largan Precision (3008 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pegatron-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12852:1" rel="noopener">Pegatron Corp (4938 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yageo-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13212:1" rel="noopener">Yageo Corporation (2327 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/novatek-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10904:1" rel="noopener">Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT)</a> while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/unimicron-technology-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18778:1" rel="noopener">Unimicron Technology (3037 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/elite-semiconductor-memory" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9373:1" rel="noopener">Elite Semiconductor Memory (3006 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/au-optronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6704:1" rel="noopener">AU Optronics (2409 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>. </p></div>

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.For the week from 22-26 March, Hong Kong saw shorts rise on Baidu (9888 HK), Tencent Holdings (700 HK), Yihai Int’L Holding (1579 HK), Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK) and Lenovo (992 HK) while there was short covering on Meituan (3690 HK), Sino Biopharmaceutical (1177 HK), Haier Smart Home Co Ltd (6690 HK), JD.com Inc. (9618 HK) and China Literature (772 HK). Shorts increased in the Communication Services, Financials, Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary sectors.In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were Yaskawa Electric (6506 JP), BASE Inc (4477 JP), Toshiba Corp (6502 JP), Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP) and Peptidream Inc (4587 JP) while shorts decreased on Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP), Monex Group Inc (8698 JP), Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP), Nexon (3659 JP) and Mizuho Financial Group (8411 JP). Shorts increased in the Industrials sectors, and decreased in the Financials, Communication Services and Health Care sectors.In Korea, shorts decreased on Celltrion Inc (068270 KS), Samsung Biologics Co., (207940 KS), Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), SK Hynix (000660 KS) and Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS) during the week. Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were Largan Precision (3008 TT), Pegatron Corp (4938 TT), Yageo Corporation (2327 TT) and Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT) while shorts were covered on Unimicron Technology (3037 TT), Elite Semiconductor Memory (3006 TT), AU Optronics (2409 TT) and TSMC (2330 TT). 

Asia Short Interest: Baidu, Kuaishou, Smoore, Yaskawa, BASE, Toshiba, Celltrion, Samsung, Largan

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• RESULTS - 30th MARCH • </strong></p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/198/242/original/image_63264034621617139328848.png?1617139329" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="198242"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics  </div><p><strong>RESULTS</strong> - Only one-quarter of Tuesday's results announcements scored positively. Of the larger caps, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samty-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18956:1" rel="noopener">Samty (3244 JP)</a> fell into the red for the first time since listing, while at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nishimatsuya-chain-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13375:1" rel="noopener">Nishimatsuya Chain (7545 JP)</a>, the earnings momentum may have peaked; however, there was a slight improvement in the company's Forecast/Revision Score as the company looks forward to FY22.   </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/198/243/original/image_48031735431617139751335.png?1617139751" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="198243"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/198/244/original/image_10841378641617139785703.png?1617139786" class="editor-image img-responsive"></figure><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 30th MARCH •</strong></p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/198/245/original/image_80824717151617139973935.png?1617139974" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="198245"></figure><p><strong>FORECASTS/REVISIONS</strong> - Of the 18 annual forecasts and revisions, only half scored positively. The <strong>DETAIL</strong> Section below focuses on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nishimatsuya-chain-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13375:1" rel="noopener">Nishimatsuya Chain (7545 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-mall-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5262:1" rel="noopener">AEON Mall (8905 JP)</a>.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/198/246/original/image_74897330061617140317631.png?1617140318" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="198246"></figure>

• RESULTS - 30th MARCH • Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics  RESULTS - Only one-quarter of Tuesday's results announcements scored positively. Of the larger caps, Samty (3244 JP) fell into the red for the first time since listing, while at Nishimatsuya Chain (7545 JP), the earnings momentum may have peaked; however, there was a slight improvement in the company's Forecast/Revision Score as the company looks forward to FY22.   • FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 30th MARCH •FORECASTS/REVISIONS - Of the 18 annual forecasts and revisions, only half scored positively. The DETAIL Section below focuses on Nishimatsuya Chain (7545 JP) and AEON Mall (8905 JP).

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/​​​​​​​​​30 - AEON Mall & Nishimatsuya + Nomura

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3:1" rel="noopener">Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)</a> is in the process of expanding its digital footprint. The company has long relied on tenant rents as a big part of its revenues and this is unlikely to change, and has also been slower than most to expand e-commerce and other digital systems. The pandemic has forced it to accelerate some plans and introduce some new ideas, many of which it has already trialled over in China.</p>

Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP) is in the process of expanding its digital footprint. The company has long relied on tenant rents as a big part of its revenues and this is unlikely to change, and has also been slower than most to expand e-commerce and other digital systems. The pandemic has forced it to accelerate some plans and introduce some new ideas, many of which it has already trialled over in China.

Japan

AEON CO., LTD. operates general merchandise stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores throughout Japan. The Company is also engaged in women's and casual clothing store business, development business of commercial property, and financing service through the subsidiaries.

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Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)

Amazon Adds Partnership with Valor in Race for Japan Online Food Retail Leadership

Amazon is reaching out to the leading supermarkets in each region to create a network of supply and delivery points for its online supermarket in...

Michael Causton

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 04/09 - Aeon, Giken & Takeuchi

RESULTS - Again, less than half of the 60 results announcements from Friday scored positively. Of the largest-cap stocks reporting, Aeon (8267 JP)...

Campbell Gunn

Asia Short Interest: Baidu, Kuaishou, Smoore, Yaskawa, BASE, Toshiba, Celltrion, Samsung, Largan

The Insight looks at large short interest movements across HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan stocks and highlights large increases/decreases in shorts to...

Brian Freitas

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/30 - AEON Mall & Nishimatsuya + Nomura

RESULTS - Only one-quarter of Tuesday's results announcements scored positively. Of the larger caps, Samty (3244 JP) fell into the red for the...

Campbell Gunn

Aeon Expands Digital Footprint

Aeon has lagged some competitors in expanding online options for its customers and still only expects its new Ocado system to launch in 2023. In...

Michael Causton

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52-week Range

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Amazon Adds Partnership with Valor in Race for Japan Online Food Retail Leadership

Amazon is reaching out to the leading supermarkets in each region to create a network of supply and delivery points for its online supermarket in...

Michael Causton

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 04/​​​​​09 - Aeon, Giken & Takeuchi

RESULTS - Again, less than half of the 60 results announcements from Friday scored positively. Of the largest-cap stocks reporting, Aeon (8267 JP)...

Campbell Gunn

Asia Short Interest: Baidu, Kuaishou, Smoore, Yaskawa, BASE, Toshiba, Celltrion, Samsung, Largan

The Insight looks at large short interest movements across HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan stocks and highlights large increases/decreases in shorts to...

Brian Freitas

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/​​​​​​​​​30 - AEON Mall & Nishimatsuya + Nomura

RESULTS - Only one-quarter of Tuesday's results announcements scored positively. Of the larger caps, Samty (3244 JP) fell into the red for the...

Campbell Gunn

Aeon Expands Digital Footprint

Aeon has lagged some competitors in expanding online options for its customers and still only expects its new Ocado system to launch in 2023. In...

Michael Causton

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 04/09 - Aeon, Giken & Takeuchi

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/30 - AEON Mall & Nishimatsuya + Nomura