Why 2020 could be a game changer for 'de-Japanifying' Japan

Country 'doing the opposite' from rest of the world

Japan, along with China and Korea, is seeing a noted stabilisation in net virus count and related deaths.

Our conversations with several companies in recent days have focused on the normalisation of China factory output and utilisation (Keyence or Daikin are direct beneficiaries, in our Japan portfolio), Chinese consumer demand (Kose benefits from skincare demand from returning women workers in China) and Japan's own consumer demand - with sushi chain Sushiro reporting long lines and supermarket operator Kobe Bussan benefiting from increased demand for home supplies. Like every economy, Japan will be hit by the demand and supply dislocation of this virus. On the other hand, the market looks ...