Activism Takes Root In Japan

Activism Takes Root In Japan by Activist Insight

Start to believe the hype: the number of companies targeted is set to more than double this year

The number of Japanese companies publicly subjected to activist demands reached 13 in the year to July 31, compared to 8 in the whole of 2015.

Despite much talk of a prospective increase in activism, mainly following activist investor Dan Loeb’s forays into the country, the level of activity has been broadly stable, with 7 companies publicly targeted in 2013, rising to 8 in each of 2014 and 2015 (activist short-sellers excluded throughout). Although proxy season has now passed for this year, activists are continuing to view the environment as favorable to activism,...