News & Insights

The Japanese stock market rallied for six consecutive months in June, with the Nikkei 225 closing above 33,000 on 30 June. Yen depreciation boosted expectations of higher earnings for exporters amidst rising US interest rates. Meanwhile domestic demand is also expected to rise as Japan's wage growth hits its highest level in 30 years.

[EXTERNAL LINK] In this article with Wealth Briefing Asia, Katsunori Ogawa, chief portfolio manager of the Sakigake High Alpha Fund, discusses how Japan's tourism industry is flourishing amidst China's reopening and Japan's removal of travel restrictions following the COVID-19 pandemic. Read about his two stock picks which are well positioned to take advantage of the ongoing tourism boom.

[EXTERNAL LINK] Katsutoshi Inadome, Senior Strategist at SuMi TRUST, recently shared his perspective on the Bank of Japan's decision to maintain its ultra-loose monetary policy at its recent monetary policy meeting.

The Japanese stock market reached a 33 year high in May, with the TOPIX index up 3.6% and the Nikkei 225 up 7.0%. The market reacted favourably towards the middle of the month as overseas investors bought up Japanese equities. Meanwhile the market softened towards the month-end as April industrial production fell short of the market consensus.

[EXTERNAL LINK] In this article with Investment Week, Hiroyuki Ueno, chief strategist at SuMi TRUST, discusses how Japan's sluggish wage growth is facing a revival amidst rising inflation and the impact on small and medium sized companies.

[EXTERNAL LINK/JAPANESE ONLY] The Japanese newspaper, The Nikkei, covers the JAPAN FORUM 2023 held in New York, which was co-sponsored by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management Americas to promote Japanese financial products to US-based investors. 

[EXTERNAL LINK] Institutional Investor sheds a spotlight on the JAPAN FORUM 2023. Featured in the article is David Baeckelandt, head of client relations at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management Americas, who shares his insight on Japanese microcap stocks.

[EXTERNAL LINK] In this article with Funds Global Asia, Tetsuro Takase, senior stewardship officer at SuMi TRUST, discusses how corporate governance is changing in Japan, what this means for cross-shareholding, and how this is leading the shift towards more effective strategic investments for sustainable long-term growth.

[EXTERNAL LINK] In this article with Wealth Briefing Asia, Hiroyuki Ueno, senior economist at SuMi TRUST, shares his view on Japan's growth outlook in 2023.