Japan Economist, Japan Macro Advisors

Takuji Okubo

Japan Economist

Concise and Insightful Analysis on Japan Economy

Japan Macro Advisors

Our mission is to provide a concise and timely analysis on the Japanese economy for the benefit of global audiences. Communication, especially in foreign languages, has always been a weakness for the Japanese, which was fine when Japan's economic might attracted foreign media and various other institutions to study and report on Japan - such days are long gone. In the last two decades, we saw foreign institutions reallocating their resources from Japan to other more exciting parts of the world. As a result, when we read reporting on Japan in foreign media, we sense a subtle but noticeable decline in the depth of understanding what is actually happening in Japan.

Macroeconomics

On February 9, the Japanese government leaked their intention to reappoint the BoJ governor Haruhiko Kuroda when his current term expires on April 8. What are the key challenges for Mr. Kuroda in the next 5 years? On the upside, Mr. Kuroda may need to engineer an exit from the current stimulative monetary policy. On the downside, there is the seemingly impossible task of how to devise additional stimulus if the Japanese economy faces a downturn under his watch.  An exit from the current…

On February 9, the Japanese government leaked their intention to reappoint the BoJ governor Haruhiko Kuroda when his current term expires on April 8. What are the key challenges for Mr. Kuroda in the next 5 years? On the upside, Mr. Kuroda may need to engineer an exit from the current stimulative monetary policy. On the downside, there is the seemingly impossible task of how to devise additional stimulus if the Japanese economy faces a downturn under his watch.   An exit from the current…

The overwhelming consensus among BoJ watchers is that the current governor, Haruhiko Kuroda, will be re-appointed for the second term. We agree that it is the most believable story. Prime Minister Abe has consistently supported Mr. Kuroda and has implied that he would want him to continue. Mr. Kuroda has said nothing to indicate a possibility that he may refuse if re-appointed. Is there any chance of a surprise?   There are some reasons to think Mr. Kuroda may not be the best man for the job. The…

The overwhelming consensus among BoJ watchers is that the current governor, Haruhiko Kuroda, will be re-appointed for the second term. We agree that it is the most believable story. Prime Minister Abe has consistently supported Mr. Kuroda and has implied that he would want him to continue. Mr. Kuroda has said nothing to indicate a possibility that he may refuse if re-appointed. Is there any chance of a surprise?    There are some reasons to think Mr. Kuroda may not be the best man for the job. The…

The Next BoJ Governor, What If It Is Not Kuroda?

Chart based progressive global trading strategies, Chart Partners

Thomas Schroeder

Chart based progressive global trading strategies

Chart Partners

Chart Partners objective is to discover medium-term cycle turns and profit opportunities before they unfold, within structural trends while preserving capital with clear degrees of risk. We have real return ideas. 

Markets are dynamic and trading systems must reflect this. It is crucial to determine underlying correlations and lead-lag relationships within global markets and the impact on linked instruments. Our weekly Chartonics product gives you short-term trading strategies that can be applied within the medium and longer term macro trends that are mapped out in our strategy updates. 

Our methodology fuses global market variables and isolates drivers in trends. We specialize in FX, index trade in NY and Asia with a focus on Asian stocks. 

Technical Analysis

Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) / Technical Analysis

Breakouts and bull turns in Asia<div style="text-align: left;">Fresh bull signals are unfolding in Asian rotation plays with breakouts noted in the Japan banks index and Malaysia. Bull turns are noteworthy in Hong Kong off of pattern support with Korea next in line for a bullish turn upward. A number of Korean stocks are making headway ahead of a Kospi turn.</div>Japan banks finally broke that 200 macro pivot barrier and looks very bullish and a theme we have been touting for some time with longs in 8316 and 8306. Stronger banks…

Breakouts and bull turns in AsiaFresh bull signals are unfolding in Asian rotation plays with breakouts noted in the Japan banks index and Malaysia. Bull turns are noteworthy in Hong Kong off of pattern support with Korea next in line for a bullish turn upward. A number of Korean stocks are making headway ahead of a Kospi turn.Japan banks finally broke that 200 macro pivot barrier and looks very bullish and a theme we have been touting for some time with longs in 8316 and 8306. Stronger banks…

Founder and Strategist, Entext Economics & Strategy

Sean Maher

Founder and Strategist

Entext Economics & Strategy

Entext provides institutional investors with distinctive, actionable asset allocation and thematic research, which typically challenges the market consensus. Our clients range from credit, equity and multi-asset hedge and pension funds to family offices and sovereign funds. 
 
We focus on identifying key inflection points in macro data and relative asset performance amid the 'groupthink'  and confirmation bias that characterizes most investment bank analysis.

Macro Driven Investment Insight

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>As covered back in May, Japan is becoming a blockchain/crypto leader and local banks lagging global peers and the wider market are not reflecting a potential fintech led productivity windfall.</li>
<li>Quantum computing looks to be where AI was in 2012 before a series of stunning breakthroughs turned it into a practical technology – a true quantum computer is likely within the next 12-24mths.</li>
<li>Until now, we have only had very specialized supercomputers employing quantum principles, such as those from D-Wave…</li>
</ul>


As covered back in May, Japan is becoming a blockchain/crypto leader and local banks lagging global peers and the wider market are not reflecting a potential fintech led productivity windfall.
Quantum computing looks to be where AI was in 2012 before a series of stunning breakthroughs turned it into a practical technology – a true quantum computer is likely within the next 12-24mths.
Until now, we have only had very specialized supercomputers employing quantum principles, such as those from D-Wave…


Will Quantum Computing Crush Cryptocurrencies?

Japan TMT Analyst

Pelham Smithers

Market Intel on Asian Tech with a Japan focus

Pelham Smithers Associates

Founded in 2009, Pelham Smithers Associates (PSA) provides market intelligence on Asian technology, focusing in particular on Japan. The industries covered by our team of specialists are: consumer electronics, telecomms, pharmaceuticals, internet, electronic parts and materials, automotive technology, retail and capital goods. 

Research is provided by the following:
Pelham Smithers: Macro, consumer electronics, telecoms & pharma
Joel Scheiman: Electronics materials / components
Julie Boote: Autos
Will Nestuk: Capital goods, machinery & transportation equipment parts
Thao Nguyen: eCommerce, internet content, marketing & advertising

One of several interesting questions from SmartKarma's UK office opening evening...===================================================================================Japan’s city banks are not the firms that first come to mind when you think of leading edge technology, but that may have to start changing as Japanese corporate activity picks up. Ever since rules on Japanese banks investing in fintech firms were lifted, Japan’s city banks have embraced new technologies like blockchain, while the…

One of several interesting questions from SmartKarma's UK office opening evening...===================================================================================Japan’s city banks are not the firms that first come to mind when you think of leading edge technology, but that may have to start changing as Japanese corporate activity picks up. Ever since rules on Japanese banks investing in fintech firms were lifted, Japan’s city banks have embraced new technologies like blockchain, while the…

Japan - Can It Get Its Tech Mojo Back with Fintech?

Japan

TOPIX-Banks Index is a capitalization-weighted index of all the banks listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is one of the 33 industry sectors of the TOPIX Index (TPX). The index was developed with a base value of 1000 as of January 6, 1992. The parent index is TPX.

TOPIX Banks Index (TPNBNK INDEX)

Kuroda's Next 5 Years

On February 9, the Japanese government leaked their intention to reappoint the BoJ governor Haruhiko Kuroda when his current term expires on April...

Takuji Okubo

The Next BoJ Governor, What If It Is Not Kuroda?

The overwhelming consensus among BoJ watchers is that the current governor, Haruhiko Kuroda, will be re-appointed for the second term. We agree...

Takuji Okubo

Breakouts and Bull Turns in Asia

Breakouts and bull turns in AsiaFresh bull signals are unfolding in Asian rotation plays with breakouts noted in the Japan banks index and...

Thomas Schroeder

Will Quantum Computing Crush Cryptocurrencies?

As covered back in May, Japan is becoming a blockchain/crypto leader and local banks lagging global peers and the wider market are not reflecting...

Sean Maher

Japan - Can It Get Its Tech Mojo Back with Fintech?

One of several interesting questions from SmartKarma's UK office opening...

Pelham Smithers Associates