Activist investors are really polite in Japan
The shareholders have even rebranded themselves to seem less brash, adopting the term "engagement" funds, the report said.
Activist investing has historically been rare in Japan, a country where the corporate culture "has favored the status quo and shunned big disruptions like split-ups or spinoffs," Narioka wrote.
But as the Abe administration pushes for corporate growth, and encourages companies to be more receptive to shareholders, some have begun to welcome these funds.
"They probably understand our business better than any other institutional investors," said a pharmaceutical CEO currently working with an active investor.
The funds are striving to work together with companies too.
"Let's say shareholder rights is a sword. We don't use that last resort. We don't even touch it," said a Tokyo-based asset manager.
Good to see everyone's getting along.
- I spent 2 weeks in India. A highlight was visiting a small mountain town so beautiful it didn't seem real.
- I quit McKinsey after 1.5 years. I was making over $200k but my mental health was shattered.
- Some Tesla factory workers realized they were laid off when security scanned their badges and sent them back on shuttles, sources say
- Essential tips for effortlessly renewing your bike insurance policy in 2024
- Indian Railways to break record with 9,111 trips to meet travel demand this summer, nearly 3,000 more than in 2023
- India's exports to China, UAE, Russia, Singapore rose in 2023-24
- A case for investing in Government securities
- Top places to visit in Auli in 2024