AVI Japanese Special Situations

Overview

Key facts

Total Assets:
¥20.7bn*
Launch Date :
22nd April 2024

Annual Management Charge:
1.0%**
Share Price - Class A GBP:
£137.05

* As of 31 August 2026
** A Share Class

About the Fund

The Investment objective of the Fund is to achieve long-term capital appreciation through investing in a 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.

In this introductory video, get to know Asset Value Investors as they share their journey and the investment strategy, they have been following for over 40 years. CEO & CIO Joe Bauernfreund is joined by three of AVI’s dedicated team members to discuss their concentrated but diversified portfolio that spans all sectors and geographies.

Investor Infomation

Monthly Newsletter

Company Search
Most popular companies
August 2026
Sharingtechnology was the largest contributor over the month, adding +116bps to performance as its shares returned +19.2%. Based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Sharingtechnology operates online platforms that match individual customers with local service providers across everyday life-related services, including repair, maintenance and other household problem-solving categories. On 14 August, the company reported strong results for the first nine months of FY9/26, with revenue up 13.5% year-on-year and operating profit more than doubling, supported in part by a gain on a business transfer. Full-year guidance points to continued double-digit revenue growth and a c.76% increase in operating profit. The shares reached a year-to-date high in late August as the market increasingly recognised this earnings momentum. On 9 September, AVI notes that MBK Partners, an Asian private equity firm, has announced a tender offer for the company with the intention of taking the company private. The offer price represents a premium of 5.8% to the closing share price on 9 September 2026. This marks the first third-party tender offer since February 2025 for a portfolio company within AJOT. AVI expects AJOT to receive the proceeds following the end of the tender offer period of 30 business days, subject to successful completion and settlement of the offer. Added to the portfolio in July 2024, the company accounted for 6.9% of AJSS’s NAV at month-end. The investment has so far generated an IRR of +51% and an ROI of +52% in JPY.
August 2026
Kurabo Industries (Kurabo) was the second-largest contributor over the month, following its strong performance in recent months, adding +71bps to performance as its shares returned +14.1%. Kurabo is a diversified manufacturer with operations across textiles, chemical products, advanced technology, food and services, and real estate. In early August, Kurabo reported its results for the first quarter of FY3/27. Net sales rose 5.2% year-on-year to ¥37.6bn, driven mainly by semiconductor-related demand in the chemical products segment, and operating profit increased 32.1% to ¥2.9bn. Profit attributable to owners of the parent declined year-on-year, due to lower gains on sales of investment securities compared with the prior year. For the full year, the company expects operating profit to rise by c.31%.  Its previously announced buyback programme was completed by the end of August. AVI’s shareholder proposals concerning the company’s takeover response policy — relating to amending the Articles of Incorporation and abolishing the existing policy — were put to the AGM held on 26 June. Although neither proposal was passed, we believe they have contributed to the ongoing debate on the company’s governance, with one proposal receiving 38.4% support. Added to the portfolio in April 2024, Kurabo now represents 5.5% of NAV. The investment has generated an ROI of +39% and an IRR of +60% in JPY.
Newsletter February 2026
Synchro Food was the largest detractor over the month, reducing performance by -32bps as its share price fell by -11%. Synchro Food operates a service matching platform for restaurants in Japan, with much of its sales coming from job listings. The company operates “Inshokuten.com” which provides an end-to-end business platform for restaurants, including supplier search, accountant search, interior design, food truck support and bulk ordering services. Our engagement with the company continues steadfast, controlling a combined c.28% of the shares across all AVI client funds. Two other foreign shareholders control a combined c.24% of the shares. Additionally, AVI’s Head of Japan Research, Kaz Sakai, was successfully appointed to the board as an independent director in December 2025. On February 13th 2026, Synchro Food released its earnings results to Q3 for the financial year ending March 2026, with cumulative revenue rising by +24% YoY, however, the YoY operating profit decline of -43% sent the share price -11% lower to month-end. Added to the portfolio in March 2025, the company accounted for 2.4% of AJSS’ NAV at month-end. We see significant upside through our constructive engagement. To month-end, the investment has generated an ROI of -1% for an IRR of -2% (in JPY).

Our Edge

Investing in the Fund

Prospectus Supplement SUBSCRIPTION FORM

Phone: 020 7659 4800
Email: kimmberly.lau@assetvalueinvestors.com

General risk warning:  All investments are subject to risk. The value of the Shares may go down as well as go up. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns and there is no guarantee that the market price of the Shares will fully reflect their underlying net asset value. There is also no guarantee that the Company’s investment objective will be achieved.

Documents and Information

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Disclaimer

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

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.

It is your responsibility to observe all applicable laws and regulations of any relevant jurisdiction.

This website is primarily intended for United Kingdom (“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, publication or use would be contrary to local law or regulation or in which AVI does not hold any necessary licence or registration. Individuals or entities in respect of whom such prohibitions apply, must not access or use the AVI website.

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
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 and liability for the content on 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.

These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England without regard to conflicts of law principles. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions will exclude or restrict any duty or liability we may have under applicable rules or regulations.

Disclaimer

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.

These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England without regard to conflicts of law principles. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions will exclude or restrict any duty or liability we may have under applicable rules or regulations.

Disclaimer

INVESTOR – Risk Warnings

It is very important that you read this warning and disclaimer before proceeding, as it explains certain legal and regulatory restrictions applicable to any investment services and products we provide.

The content of this website is issued by Asset Value Investors Ltd (“AVI”), 2 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PU

AVI is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) in the United Kingdom.

This website is not directed at any person in any jurisdiction where it is illegal or unlawful to access and use such information. AVI disclaims all responsibility if you access any information in breach of any local law or regulation. All persons who access this website are required to inform themselves and to abide with all applicable local law, regulations and restrictions.

The information on this website is not directed at any person or entity in the United States, and this site is not intended for distribution or to be used by any person or entity in the United States unless those persons or entities are existing investors in funds managed by AVI and they have applicable US exemptions.

Nothing on this website constitutes investment, legal, tax or other advice nor should it be relied upon in making an investment decision.

The funds referred to in this website include: alternative investment funds (“AIFs”), UCITS funds, and a collective investment scheme registered in the Cayman Islands. The promotion of such funds and the distribution of offering materials in relation to such funds is accordingly restricted by law.

Shares in the funds mentioned in this website are not dealt in or on a recognised or designated investment exchange, nor is there a market maker in such shares, and it may therefore be difficult for an investor to dispose of his shares.

The information on this website is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of any offer to buy shares in any fund managed by AVI.

An application for shares in any of the funds referred to on this site should only be made having fully read the relevant prospectus and most recent financial statement and semi-annual financial statements published thereafter.

The Information is provided for information purposes only and on the basis that you make your own investment decisions and do not rely upon it.

AVI is not soliciting any action based on it and it does not constitute a personal recommendation or investment advice.

Should you have any queries about the investment funds referred to on this website, you should contact your financial adviser.

Past performance is not an indication of future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the amount invested.

The funds noted in this website may be subject to higher risk and volatility than other funds and may not be suitable for all investors.

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The information on this website, including any expression of opinion or forecast, has been obtained from, or is based on, sources believed by AVI to be reliable, but are not guaranteed as to their accuracy or completeness and should not be relied upon.

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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 websites. 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 websites.

No permission is granted to copy, distribute, modify, post or frame any text, graphics, video, audio, software code, or user interface design or logos.

Nothing on this site should be considered as granting any licence or right under any trademark of AVI or any third party.

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.

These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England without regard to conflicts of law principles. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions will exclude or restrict any duty or liability we may have under applicable rules or regulations. You irrevocably waive any right to a jury trial in any dispute or proceeding arising from the use of this site.