An Asset Manager’s Perspective on the Japanese Economy

Organized by Sweden-Japan Foundation, The Swedish Society of Financial Analysts (SFF) & ISDP

12.30-13.00 Light lunch mingle

13.00-14.00 Lecture and discussion

Mr. Shibata will discuss “how globalization causes a worldwide, inter-regional equalization of compensation levels, putting pressure on the once-mighty middle-class citizens of developed economies including Nordic countries and Japan. Japan’s economy stands at an inflection point between an excess and shortage of labor, between an excess and shortage of capacity, and between low and moderate growth. With or without the success of Abenomics, the Japanese economy today shares many parallels with and implications for Nordic countries in five years time.”

Prior to joining Nikko AM, Shibata was Group COO of Nomura Holdings. Prior to that he was responsible for Nomura’s European operations from its London subsidiary, and then oversaw global investment banking, global wholesale, global administration and global asset management operations. He spent 17 years overseas. Shibata holds a BA in economics from Keio University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Nikko Asset Management is a premier global asset manager in Asia, with approximately 18 trillion yen (SEK 1,2 biljoner) in assets under management. The company is represented in Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka in Japan; Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand; and through joint ventures in China, India and Malaysia. Outside of Asia, it has offices in London, New York and Edinburgh.