Japan tightens entry of foreign investors in 12 strategic sectors
Foreign investors purchasing a 1% or more stake in a Japanese company will be subject to prescreening if the target company is included in 12 specified sectors deemed critical to national security, such as arms, aircraft and space-related industries, Nikkei has learned.
Those new rules are expected to amount to 400 to 500 of Japan's 3,800 listed companies.
In a bid to prevent foreign influence in critical companies, especially with China in mind, the Japan diet last November revised the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act to lower the threshold to 1% from the previous 10%.
The exact details of implementing the revised law will be determined by cabinet and ministerial orders, which are currently being worked out.
According to the proposed orders that Nikkei has seen, the 12 sectors also include nuclear power, general-purpose products with potential to be used for military purposes, cybersecurity-related, power, gas, telecoms, water supply, railways and oil industries.
While the aim of the law is to strengthen national security, investors have been wary that the new regulatory framework would add extra paperwork and may result in excessive control on stock trading.
Addressing such concerns, the proposed ministry orders will exempt a wider range of foreign financial institutions and hedge funds from the reporting requirement if they satisfy specified conditions.
Specifically, foreign securities brokerages, banks, insurers and asset managers that have obtained licenses from or registered with overseas authorities will be exempt as long as, for example, no employee is serving as an officer in the target company or they do not make shareholders proposals to divest assets.
Hedge funds, including activist investors, can also be exempt if they are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Sovereign wealth funds and public pensions will be exempt from prior application requirements after passing a screening process to determine that they are not national security threats, and signing separate memorandums of understanding with the government.
News On Japan - Nov 25
Nissan Motor Corporation has announced plans to transition all its vehicles produced in the United Kingdom to electric vehicles (EVs).
News On Japan - Nov 24
The amount of undeclared income by wealthy people in Japan has reached a record high of 98 billion yen, among the worst offenders being scrap gold wholesalers, breeders and yakiniku restaurants, the National Tax Agency announced on Friday.
NHK - Nov 24
Japan's latest inflation figures show prices rose on a broad front in October. The month marked the first time in four months for inflation to accelerate.
NHK - Nov 24
Tokyo has a new landmark, a 330-meter-high skyscraper that opened on Friday. The Mori JP tower has 64 floors for shops, offices and residences. It's the tallest building in Japan, a title that previously belonged to the Abeno Harukas commercial and business tower in Osaka, western Japan.
Reuters - Nov 24
Japanese stocks witnessed massive foreign inflows in the week ended Nov. 17, underpinned by strong corporate earnings and as investors tempered some of their initial enthusiasm about the prospect of a series of U.S. interest rate cuts.
theceomagazine.com - Nov 24
Shitennō-ji temple is one of Osaka’s most important Buddhist temples. Built in the sixth century during the rule of Prince Shotoku, it has stood firm as the high-rises of the modern-day city have towered above it.
News On Japan - Nov 23
Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk's anti-obesity drug "Wegovy" is now covered by Japan's public health insurance scheme. Doctor's, however, are concerned about the long-term effects of this highly addictive weight-loss treatment, and whether worldwide supply shortages will stop it getting into the hands of people who need it most.
carscoops.com - Nov 23
Toyota's Chairman and Master Driver Akio Toyota retires from his position as the chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) which represents 5.5 million employees from 14 automakers. Toyoda is the only official who led Japan's automotive industry for three two-year terms, being appointed in 2012, 2018, and 2022.
acs.org - Nov 23
Japan’s three biggest chemical companies are seeing their earnings suffer from a slump in basic chemicals. All three experienced a sharp drop in profits in the first half of fiscal 2023, which ended Sept. 30, and one of them, Sumitomo Chemical, is forecasting a loss of $655 million for the full fiscal year.
newsonjapan.com - Nov 23
As the world leans into digital convenience, Japanese companies are not left behind in the digital transformation of payroll processing.
Reuters - Nov 22
Japanese chip materials maker Resonac (4004.T) said on Wednesday it will set up a research and development centre for advanced semiconductor packaging and materials in Silicon Valley.
News On Japan - Nov 22
Toshiba, aiming for corporate restructuring, held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders on Wednesday, the final step towards delisting from the stock exchange.
Business Mirror - Nov 22
From manga artists to independent taxi drivers, Japanese freelancers and small businesses frustrated with the potential loss of a tax break are among the growing numbers pushing down Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s approval rating to record lows.
ndtv.com - Nov 22
Tokyo offices are experiencing an unconventional approach to ease workplace stress. At a cost of 7,900 yen, roughly ₹ 4,400, people in Japan can access the services of Ikemeso Danshi, providing attractive companions referred to as "Handsome Weeping Boys."
News On Japan - Nov 21
Private companies are expected to exceed last year's winter bonuses for the third consecutive year, according to four private research firms, with an average payout per person rising between 2.1% to 2.5%.
News On Japan - Nov 20
The Azabudai Hills complex in Tokyo's Minato Ward, which includes Japan's tallest building, was unveiled to the media on Monday ahead of its opening on Nov 24.