Fine Wind, Clear Morning: Japan’s Corporate Governance Reform Enters a New Phase
* As of 30/09/2026
** Ongoing charges as of 30 June 2024
AVI Japan Opportunity Trust (“A JOT” or “the Company”) invests in a focussed portfolio of over-capitalised small-cap Japanese equities. Asset Value Investors will leverage its three decades of experience investing in asset-backed companies to engage with company management and help to unlock value in this under-researched area of the market.
As of 30/06/2026
Asset Value Investors (“AVI”) investment process for AJOT emphasizes bottom up fundamental research, using both quantitative and qualitative techniques.
AVI’s screening process starts by looking at the c.3,475 non-financial companies in Japan. This is then narrowed down to the c.2,180 companies with an average daily trading volume greater than £300k. We then take a closer look at the c.470 companies that have net cash and securities greater than 30% of their market cap. We have detailed models on approximately 60 companies out of this universe, which track stock prices and earnings information.
Throughout the filtering process AVI asks the following questions:
AVI’s analysts track stock prices, earnings and balance sheet information with an aim to identify good quality companies trading on a discount to their NAV which exhibit clear trends to create long-term value.
Research includes:
We want to have a reasonably concentrated portfolio (typically 15-25 core holdings) of our best ideas.
The objective of AVI’s portfolio construction process is to end up with a concentrated portfolio of about 15-25 core holdings, facilitating a clear monitoring process of the entire portfolio. AVI picks stocks that meet our investment criteria and once we decide to invest we seek a minimum position size of approximately 2% of the portfolio; however, the timing of the catalyst and the liquidity of the stock can result in the holding being greater or lesser than 2%.
The investment philosophy employed by Asset Value Investors (“AVI”), the managers of AVI Japan Opportunity Trust (“AJOT”), strives to identify valuation anomalies and focuses on investing where the market price does not reflect the estimated intrinsic value.
Asset Value Investors (“AVI”) deep value investment process strives to identify and mitigate downside risks in all market environments.
We seek to construct a discounted portfolio of stocks consisting of companies which due to the geographic and sector diversification of their underlying assets are less likely to display high correlations to the market.
AVI’s risk management techniques include thorough qualitative fundamental bottom up research to establish a company’s real value. We monitor our holdings on an on-going basis and our in-house OMS system contains an automatic alert system which alerts us of any breaches of built-in risk parameters.
The investment management team holds regular meetings discussing the portfolio with a view to reassess, sell or buy securities and to discuss current cash position as well as sector weighting.
Exclusionary screening is not our guiding framework, however there are certain exceptions to this. AVI will not invest in a company with direct involvement* in:
Or companies that engage in child labour or human exploitation as defined by the relevant ILO conventions.
* whereby more than 5% of that company’s NAV is derived from these activities.
As part of our in-depth research into companies, we consider and discuss material ESG risks and opportunities, including climate-related risks and opportunities. Supported by ISS Norms-based research, we also assess any involvement in actual or potential violations of international norms and standards.
We have developed a bespoke ESG monitoring system built into our proprietary database to ensure ESG factors are considered alongside financial analysis. We conduct ongoing ESG assessments of portfolio companies’ performance against defined ESG metrics. A scoring system is used to assess trends and highlight potential areas for engagement.
Based on our assessments, we send tailored questionnaires to all portfolio companies to request additional ESG information and promote improved sustainability disclosure. This can provide a useful starting point for deeper engagement on ESG issues.
Controversies can bring major reputational damage and a loss of consumer trust which can have a significant effect on a company’s value. We promote responsible conduct by actively engaging and encouraging our companies to strengthen their focus on ESG issues.
We seek to build constructive relationships with the boards and management of our portfolio companies, offering detailed suggestions to sustainably increase corporate value by building resilience to ESG risks and promoting responsible business practices.
At AJOT, we believe that integrating ESG and sustainability factors into our investment process, alongside traditional financial factors, is important to enable us to deliver strong and durable performance to our clients and to meet our broader investment responsibilities. ESG matters, including climate change, are part of our analysis and risk assessment when deciding whether an investment should be made. Climate change poses both risks and opportunities. The transition to a low-carbon economy will affect all businesses, irrespective of their size, sector, or geographic location. Therefore, no company’s revenues are immune, and the assessment of such risks must be considered within any effective investment approach.
As active investors, once we have invested in a company, we take our stewardship responsibilities seriously. AJOT acknowledges that it can have an indirect impact on communities and the environment through the companies it holds in its portfolio. We look to engage with boards and management on an ongoing basis and create an active dialogue on various ESG factors. Often, engagement with investee boards is undertaken with a view to helping realise value or to address potential issues with governance. We seek to ensure good governance practices are being upheld and encourage adherence to responsible and ethical conduct. AJOT also views voting at company meetings to be an important lever in our stewardship responsibilities and will vote at company meetings when we have the opportunity to do so.
See the sections below for further insights into the ESG work at AJOT.
AVI has developed a proprietary ESG monitoring system that allows us to track the extent to which our portfolio companies are effectively managing ESG issues and their progress against defined ESG metrics. This process helps to highlight trends and identify weaknesses where we can engage constructively with companies to build resilience to ESG risks and promote responsible business practices.
AVI became a signatory to the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) on 09 April 2021.
We are aligned with the PRI’s belief that an economically efficient, sustainable global financial system is a necessity for long-term value creation. Such a system will reward long-term, responsible investment and benefit the environment and society as a whole.
We consider proxy voting to be an important lever in engaging with our portfolio companies and ensuring that our perspectives on environmental, social and governance issues are represented.
As responsible, active stewards of our clients’ capital, we have a duty to vote carefully and thoughtfully on their behalf, and we take this duty seriously. We aim to vote at every general meeting for which we are eligible.
As part of our responsible investing initiative, we have compiled a new report detailing our approach to ESG and sustainability at AVI.
To read the full report, please click the button below.
Intermediaries participating in the Initial Issue as announced on 3 March 2020 include:
There are two ways that the value of a share in an investment trust is often expressed:
It’s the role of the asset management company, AVI ,appointed by AJOT to plan, manage the assets and oversee the investments on behalf of investment trust.
They are quoted companies listed on the London Stock Exchange with Boards of Directors; they are subject to the listing rules of the UK Listing Authority established under the Financial Services and Markets Act. ‘Investment Trusts’ are also subject to the Companies Act 1985, as amended. The conduct of investment managers in promoting packaged products (‘ISA’, Share Plans) with underlying investment trust investments are regulated by the FCA.
Investment trusts can borrow money and invest the proceeds. This will magnify returns to investors in a rising market (and vice versa in falling markets). This is known as financial gearing. Typically the ‘gearing’ is described as a ratio (of borrowing to assets) – a gearing factor of 120 means that on a trust with equity of £100 million it has £20 million of debt (bank borrowings).
Typically anything from 50 to 100 shares. The ‘Fund Manager’ must have regard to the objective of the trust. To that end the underlying stocks are bought or sold to deliver either capital growth or income. Within those portfolios the managers will assess the stocks on a regular basis to ensure that they will deliver the objective, hopefully selling in advance of profit warnings or any other adverse market change that could impact on either the ability to deliver income or capital appreciation. Sometimes that can’t be achieved; that’s why ‘investment trusts’ have a spread of investments.
The spread is set by the market makers. There is no standard spread; it depends on the ‘liquidity’ of a particular stock. It does not include stamp duty, which is a tax at 0.5% of the value of all share purchases.
The dividend yield is the last 12 months dividends (historic) divided by the share price.
All are calculated with reference to the previous closing mid price.
The company secretary has the responsibility for co-ordinating all aspects of the investment trust to ensure that it complies with its legal and financial reporting including any circulars etc., report and accounts, interim reports; convening board meetings, minutes and follow up there from, as well as liaison with the Board and external advisers.
The Board is responsible to shareholders; it oversees the external relationships, principally the fund management relationship, to ensure that the trust’s objective is met.
Under the Companies Act all public companies must maintain a register of their shareholders to record title to the security; to determine entitlement to dividends or capital distributions.
The content of this website is issued by Asset Value Investors Limited (“AVI”), 2 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PU. AVI is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom (the “FCA”) and is a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States. While the Investment Manager is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser, it does not comply with the Advisers Act with regard to its non-U.S. clients.
To the extent that material on this website is issued in the UK, it is issued for the purposes of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
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As with all financial or investment matters, you should exercise great care in using the information provided on this website or available through links from this website. You should research the facts, opinions and strategies mentioned in this website before making any financial investment decisions. If you are unsure about the meaning of any information provided, please consult your financial adviser or other professional adviser.
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Neither AVI, any of its directors, officers or employees, nor any third party vendor, will be liable or have any responsibility of any kind for any loss or damage that you incur in the event of any failure or interruption of this site, or resulting from the act or omission of any other party involved in making this site or the data contained therein available to you, or from any other cause relating to your access to, inability to access, or use of the site or these materials, whether or not the circumstances giving rise to such cause may have been within the control of AVI, or of any vendor providing software or services support.
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In no event shall AVI be liable to any indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this website, the inability to use this site or any products or services obtained or stored in or from this website, whether based on contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise. These limitations also apply to any third-party claims against users.
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The existence of hyperlinks should not be construed as an endorsement, approval or verification by AVI of any content available on third party sites. By providing access to other websites, we are not recommending the purchase or sale of products or services provided by the website’s sponsoring organization. We do not review any of these third-party sites. AVI reserves the right to require written consent for, or request the removal of, any links to our website.
AVI disclaims all responsibility and liability for the content on third party sites.
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For your protection, we require the use of encryption technologies for certain types of communications conducted through this website. While we provide those technologies and use other reasonable precautions to protect confidential information and provide suitable security, we do not guarantee or warrant that information transmitted through the Internet is secure, or that such transmissions will be free from delay, interruption, interception or error. You acknowledge and agree that users of this website and users, owners, or managers of third party websites may not: (i) collect or store personal data about other users of this website or (ii) upload, e-mail or otherwise transmit any material that contains viruses or any other computer code, files or programs that might interrupt, limit or interfere with the functionality of any computer software, hardware, database or file, or communications equipment that is owned, leased or used by AVI.
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We reserve the right at any time on giving notice to change or modify these terms and conditions or to impose new conditions in respect of this website or to change or discontinue any aspect or feature of this website. We shall be entitled to terminate your access to this website at any time on giving notice to you and in any event if you commit any breach of these terms and conditions.
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The content of this website is issued by Asset Value Investors Limited (“AVI”), 2 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PU.
AVI is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom (the “FCA”) and is a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States. While the Investment Manager is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser, it does not comply with the Advisers Act with regard to its non-U.S. clients.
Intended Audience
The information on this website is provided to you for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investments or related services that may be referenced on this website. The information contained on this website is subject to change without notice.
This website is primarily intended for UK residents. It is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any U.S. persons or persons in any other country where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.
It is your responsibility to observe all applicable laws and regulations of any relevant jurisdiction.
No Tax or Legal Advice
Nothing on this website constitutes investment, legal, tax or other advice nor should it be relied upon in making an investment decision.
Money Laundering
As a result of money laundering regulations, additional documentation for identification purposes may be required when you make your investment. Full details are contained in the relevant subscription documents.
Investment Decisions
As with all financial or investment matters, you should exercise great care in using the information provided on this website or available through links from this website. You should research the facts, opinions and strategies mentioned in this website before making any financial investment decisions. If you are unsure about the meaning of any information provided, please consult your financial adviser or other professional adviser.
No Warranty; Limitation on Liability
Whilst all reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this website, AVI cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, either expressly or implied. Neither AVI, any of its directors, officers or employees, nor any third party vendor, will be liable or have any responsibility of any kind for any loss or damage that you incur in the event of any failure or interruption of this site, or resulting from the act or omission of any other party involved in making this site or the data contained therein available to you, or from any other cause relating to your access to, inability to access, or use of the site or these materials, whether or not the circumstances giving rise to such cause may have been within the control of AVI, or of any vendor providing software or services support.
All information and content on this website is subject to applicable statutes and regulations, furnished “as is”, without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. We make no warranty as to the operation, functionality or availability of this website, that the website will be error-free or that defects will be corrected.
In no event shall AVI be liable to any indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this website, the inability to use this site or any products or services obtained or stored in or from this website, whether based on contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise. These limitations also apply to any third-party claims against users.
Intellectual Property
Everything on this website is the valuable intellectual property of Asset Value Investors Limited, or their respective suppliers. We protect our intellectual property rights to the full extent of the law.
Copyright Policy
No permission is granted to copy, distribute, modify, post or frame any text, graphics, video, audio, software code, or user interface design or logos.
Hyperlinks
The existence of hyperlinks should not be construed as an endorsement, approval or verification by AVI of any content available on third party sites. By providing access to other websites, we are not recommending the purchase or sale of products or services provided by the website’s sponsoring organization. We do not review any of these third-party sites. AVI reserves the right to require written consent for, or request the removal of, any links to our website.
AVI disclaims all responsibility for the content of third-party sites
Security
For your protection, we require the use of encryption technologies for certain types of communications conducted through this website. While we provide those technologies and use other reasonable precautions to protect confidential information and provide suitable security, we do not guarantee or warrant that information transmitted through the Internet is secure, or that such transmissions will be free from delay, interruption, interception or error.
You acknowledge and agree that users of this website and users, owners, or managers of third party websites may not: (i) collect or store personal data about other users of this website or (ii) upload, e-mail or otherwise transmit any material that contains viruses or any other computer code, files or programs that might interrupt, limit or interfere with the functionality of any computer software, hardware, database or file, or communications equipment that is owned, leased or used by AVI.
Privacy Policy
We encourage you to read AVI’s Privacy Policy which can be obtained by clicking the Privacy Policy button found on the Homepage.
General Terms
Deliberate misuse of any element of this website including, without limitation, hacking, introduction of viruses or similar code, disruption or excessive use or any use in contravention of applicable law, is expressly prohibited and we reserve the right to terminate your access to the website, and at our discretion, pass information to the legal authorities.
We reserve the right at any time on giving notice to change or modify these terms and conditions or to impose new conditions in respect of this website or to change or discontinue any aspect or feature of this website. We shall be entitled to terminate your access to this website at any time on giving notice to you and in any event if you commit any breach of these terms and conditions. We shall have no liability to you for such termination. Notices may be served by any reasonable method including posting on this website.
You shall indemnify us from and against all actions, claims, proceedings, costs and damages (including any damages or compensation paid by us on the advice of its legal advisors to compromise or settle any claim) and all legal costs or expenses arising out of your use of this website, any breach of any applicable law, statute, ordinance, regulation or third party rights and any breach by you of the software licenses and service agreements governing the software made available to you in connection with this website.
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AJOT’s NAV returned +3.4% in GBP and -0.3% in JPY over the month, while the benchmark returned +2.6% in GBP and -1.1% in JPY.
During September, AVI welcomed the tender offer for Sharingtechnology by MBK Partners, an Asian private equity firm. Since initiating the investment in July 2024, AVI has engaged constructively with the company on strategic direction, capital allocation and the realisation of shareholder value. The offer provides a good example of how strategic review by companies can help crystallise unrealised value in situations where the market price does not fully reflect underlying business quality and balance-sheet strength. As noted in AJOT’s interim report published this month, the offer price represented a 55% premium to the undisturbed share price in June 2026 and marked the portfolio’s first major corporate transaction since February 2025. The company accounted for 11% of AJOT’s NAV at month-end, and the investment has so far generated an ROI of +61% and an IRR of +48% in JPY.
AJOT’s NAV returned +5.5% in GBP and +6.6% in JPY over the month, while the benchmark returned +2.6% in GBP and +3.7% in JPY.
Japan’s governance reform agenda continued to move from policy direction to practical implementation in August. On 12 August, the Tokyo Stock Exchange (“TSE”) published the results of an institutional investor survey on companies demonstrating meaningful progress in “management that is conscious of cost of capital and stock price”. Drawing on comments from domestic and overseas investors, it highlighted companies seen as making substantive progress against the TSE’s request to improve capital efficiency and market valuation.
AJOT’s NAV returned +1.3% in GBP and +0.7% in JPY over the month, while the benchmark returned -0.7% in GBP and -1.3% in JPY.
In July, AI and semiconductor-related stocks came under pressure, despite having been a major driver of market performance earlier in the year. The sell-off reflected growing concerns around stretched valuations, the financing burden of AI infrastructure investment and rising competition, and highlighted the risk of market leadership being concentrated in a narrow group of momentum-driven stocks.
AJOT’s NAV returned +0.3% (in GBP) and +0.9% (in JPY) over the month, while the benchmark returned +1.3% (in GBP) and +1.9% (in JPY).
In May, Japanese equities were driven by a narrow rally in AI- and semiconductor-related stocks, creating a difficult backdrop for strategies like AJOT, which don’t typically invest in those sectors or high-growth companies. In June, however, market leadership broadened somewhat and AJOT recovered from the prior month’s relative weakness, supported by strong performance from selected value and engagement-driven holdings. While technology stocks remained an important driver of the market, the recovery in AJOT’s portfolio suggests that investor attention also began to return to individual stock-selection and company-specific catalysts.
AJOT’s NAV returned -3.9% (in GBP) and -3.1% (in JPY) over the month, while the benchmark returned +5.7% (in GBP) and +6.5% (in JPY). Relative performance was negatively impacted by the continued strength of AI-related stocks, which have been a key driver of equity market returns globally, including in Japan. Given AJOT’s focus on undervalued, overcapitalised companies with significant scope for operational and capital allocation improvement, the portfolio has limited exposure to the stocks that have led the market higher.
Returns from this approach are inherently catalyst-driven and therefore can be lumpy, with value often realised through company-specific developments rather than broader market moves. As a result, periods of relative underperformance can occur when market returns are dominated by a narrow investment theme, as has been the case recently.