KonichiValue Japan

A conversation with Ben Shearon from RetireJapan about investing in Japanese stocks, why Nintendo is such a great company, reasons to leave Japan, and much, much, more.

Here's the full video:

Recommendations discussed in the conversation:

Google Finance: https://www.google.com/finance/

Yahoo Finance: https://finance.yahoo.com

The Swedish Investor/ @theswedishinvestor  

Plain Bagel/ @theplainbagel  

Japanalysis/ @japanalysis  

Asianometry / @asianometry & The Asianometry Newsletter

See the RetireJapan main site for more blog posts and information:

https://www.retirejapan.com/

When it comes to weird and wacky, Japan is in a league on its own.

From vending machines that sell used underwear to cafes where you can hang out with hedgehogs, it seems like there's no limit to the oddities that come out of this island nation. But have you ever wondered why Japan has so much weird stuff? Well, it all goes back to the economic boom of the 80s.

For those familiar with my work on Konichi-Value, you know my disapproval of Rakuten and its management, especially CEO Hiroshi Mikitani. I've previously criticized his blame-shifting and use of tactics like assigning pointless tasks to push employees to quit, but this time, I intend to dig deep into not only his shortcomings, but the shortcomings of Rakuten Group as a whole.

If you’re interested in the Rakuten stock, I've discussed the company's massive debt and risk of collapse in this article:

In this episode I, Rei Saito, explore the common misconceptions about Tokyo's real estate. Tune in as I debunk myths about living costs, space, and density in Tokyo, offering data-backed insights that may change your view of Japan's capital city.

Originally aired on February 28, 2023

Joint me as I dive into the epic clash between Nintendo and Disney. With Super Mario hitting the big screen, who will reign supreme in the entertainment arena?

This episode was originally aired on April 2nd, but with the Super Mario Bros Movie now grossing over $1 billion worldwide, the analysis in it has become more relevant than ever!

The Plaza Accord… Just the mention of these words is enough to send shivers down the spines of economists and policymakers around the world. It was one of the biggest single events that have shaped how the world sees Japan. And I have undertaken the daunting task of examining it.

Join me as I delve into the story of Japan's "Lost Generation". In the 1980s, Japan was experiencing unprecedented economic growth, but when the bubble economy burst in the early 1990s, the aftermath was devastating for the young people entering the workforce.

This generation is one of the most educated and hard-working in Japanese history, but they were faced with a tough job market and a lack of job security. Discover the challenges they faced and how they navigated the aftermath of the bubble economy.

For the full article, click here: https://www.konichivalue.com/p/japans-lost-generation-the-silent

I created this clip to pitch why I think EIZO is perhaps the most interesting monitor manufacturer in the world.

EIZO, the Japanese monitor manufacturer, has undergone a dramatic pivot in its business strategy. Initially, the company was primarily focused on producing Pachinko machines, but over time it has shifted its focus to specialized industries with high barriers to entry, such as air traffic control, healthcare and creative professionals. This pivot has enabled EIZO to establish a strong foothold in these niche markets and it has become known for producing high-quality, reliable monitors that are specifically tailored to the needs of these industries.

With a strong emphasis on innovation and customer satisfaction, EIZO has been able to perform with incredibly high margins and customer satisfaction in an industry where profit margins are often less than 1%. The company's unwavering commitment to excellence has made it the go-to choice for professionals who demand the very best in monitor technology.

If you're enticed by this pitch, you should definitely take a look at the stock analysis I've written. It delves deeper into the financials of the company and provides a comprehensive overview of EIZO's performance in the market. It's a must-read for anyone looking to invest in the company and gain a better understanding of its potential for growth and profitability:

Link to the full article here

Japan was on its way to surpass the United States as the world’s largest economy and the supply of infinite growth and prosperity seemed non-stop…

Then, the party suddenly stopped…

This video is a detailed depiction of Japan's lost decade (1991-2001): The tragic tale of the world’s largest economic bubble burst and its consequences.

This is my conversation with Kalani Scarrott from the podcast Compounding Curiosity (originally aired October 27, 2022).

In this conversation, we go deep into Japanese real-estate and the pros and cons of it. We also discuss the Japanese stock-market, what makes it so undervalued, and what to think about before investing in it.

You can listen to the original episode and many more amazing interviews from Compounding curiosity here:

Compounding Curiosity (compoundingpodcast.com)