Hudson Lockett

James ‌Smith’s activist fund wants $26 bln MSG maker Ajinomoto to hike prices of chip inputs it ​has a near monopoly on, ​following a similar play at toilet firm ⁠Toto. Extracting AI-adjacent gems from Japanese ​groups is a new way to ​play the global data centre boom.

New guidelines ⁠stoked a $400 ​bln deals boom, ​including hostile takeovers and activism at ​a pace ​that’s unnerving officials. The ‌perfectionist ⁠impulse to course correct now risks stymying nascent ​economic ​revival. ⁠Besides, there are better ​ways Tokyo ​can ⁠protect strategic assets.

HONG KONG, April 8 (Reuters Breakingviews) - In 1989, Sony co-founder Akio Morita co-authored "The Japan That Can Say No", an essay in which he

Japan's $34 bln Seven & i has ‌pushed back listing its American gas-and-goods chain due to market uncertainty and slow progress in turning the ​unit around. It's a setback for CEO ​Stephen Dacus' bid to revive growth and ⁠bolsters the case for a second run ​by the Canadian suitor.

Tourist arrivals from the People’s Republic ​have halved and CLSA ​is downgrading an investor forum ⁠in Tokyo amid a ​diplomatic row. But broker Huatai ​plans to open up shop in the city. That underscores the $7.6 ​trln market’s resurgent appeal ​as Chinese firms’ returns disappoint.

The Swedish firm’s $15.6 bln haul ​shows regional funds are ​rising from the ashes after ⁠a slump, but not ​everyone’s taking wing. China-heavy ​legacy shops will struggle as investors splash cash on those with ​a solid track record ​in Japan and India and more ‌boots ⁠on the ground.

Prime Minister Takaichi is fighting petrol price rises with ​subsidies that may require new ​funding beyond this year’s record $780 ⁠bln budget. This risks weakening ​the yen amid interventions propping ​it up to ward off import inflation. Households will feel the squeeze either ​way.

The US talked up market access, Iran cooperation and fentanyl at the summit. China foregrounded Taiwan and stable relations. Both sides like "economic cooperation" but appear to be speaking to domestic audiences more than each other. The upshot is more retread than reset.

In the hit game, a player's repeated deaths can yield progress. At $3 ​bln franchise owner Kadokawa, returns ​are poor and activist Oasis wants ⁠the CEO out. That could ​happen if other large shareholders Sony ​and Tencent pile on. Challenges to Japan's top management are rising fast.

Activists like Elliott and ⁠Oasis targeted ​firms worth $110 bln in ​the first quarter, with 56 campaigns in ​2025 topping ​Europe's tally. Backing from local ‌money ⁠managers clears the way for greater emphasis on ​operations ​and ⁠governance. Big breakups, however, will ​take more ​time.