Japan Optimist

Japan Optimist offers insights into Japan's evolving economic landscape, highlighting the successes of its capitalism model. It discusses corporate governance, policy impacts, demographic changes, and innovation. Articles debate investment strategies, celebrate Japan's potential as a role model, and explore shifts in elite career paths and venture capital's promise.

Economic Analysis Corporate Governance Investment Strategies Demographic Changes Policy and Economic Growth Innovation and Technology Corporate Activism Financial Markets Entrepreneurship and Start-ups

The hottest Substack posts of Japan Optimist

And their main takeaways

Capitalism that works

314 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
💼 Business Economics Innovation Leadership Sustainability
  1. Japan is considered a potential economic superpower and role model
  2. Japan's social resilience, political stability, corporate competitiveness, technocratic pragmatism, and private sector innovation are seen as strengths
  3. Japan's demographic destiny is viewed as a positive force for next-generation leaders, citizens, and the rising Asian middle class
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No bubble, no trouble...

235 implied HN points • 11 Jun 23
💰 Finance Real Estate Policy Inflation Central Bank
  1. Bank of Japan Governor Ueda Kazuo is focused on ensuring economic growth and controlling inflation.
  2. In Japan, politicians are addressing rising energy costs and affordability concerns, not the central bank.
  3. Japanese elite closely monitor real estate prices to prevent asset bubbles and ensure future generations' prospects.

Towards a new Golden Generation

216 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
💼 Business Workforce Economics Jobs Corporate culture Labor Market
  1. Japan's young generation is set to be economically better off than their parents due to demographic changes.
  2. As labor supply decreases, wages and job quality are increasing in Japan, leading to a rise in full-time job creation.
  3. There is a shift in Japan towards valuing and investing in human capital as the country moves towards a new golden age for its young generation.

Welcome, BoJ Governor Ueda

216 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
  1. BoJ Governor Ueda is a thoughtful and theoretical economist aiming for sustainable policy frameworks.
  2. Ueda's background and approach suggest a shift towards more free-market policies.
  3. Deputy Governor Himino is expected to drive banking system consolidation and promote innovation like crypto technologies.

Japan Reality Check #4: In praise of the Salaryman CEO

176 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
💼 Business Leadership Corporate culture Performance Profitability
  1. Japanese Salaryman CEOs have shown extraordinary resilience and competence in delivering corporate economic value and profitability.
  2. Data shows that Japanese Salaryman CEOs have outperformed Wall Street Superstar CEOs in terms of profit increase without relying on rising sales.
  3. While Japanese Salaryman CEOs have significantly increased profits, their compensation has only risen modestly, maintaining a close link between performance and pay.

Japan Reality Check #5: Are start-ups and VC a good investment in Japan?

176 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
💼 Business Investing Venture Capital Start-ups Economic Policy Entrepreneurship
  1. Japan's start-ups and venture capital outperform global peers with a 18% net IRR per year in the decade before COVID.
  2. Japan's venture capital ecosystem attracts top talent and continues to grow, showing a 7% outperformance over TOPIX.
  3. Japan's government actively supports entrepreneurship and innovation, aiming to create '100 Unicorns by 2027' through public-private partnerships and deregulation.

Japan Reality Check #6: Elite on the Move

0 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Japan Labor Market Private sector
  1. Young elite bureaucrats in Japan are quitting prestigious careers for riskier opportunities in the private sector.
  2. The quit rates among Japan's elite bureaucrats have significantly increased, signaling a fundamental change.
  3. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many quitting bureaucrats are joining start-ups rather than large companies.