Archive for the ‘Japan’ category

Asia Economy: Planning for Disasters is Key

January 7th, 2014

For the Asia economy to thrive and for the region to remain attractive to overseas investors, it must find a way to enhance its “disaster management capability.”

One way to do this is through education. According to Jagan Chapagain, Asia-Pacific Director of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, since it is the community that responds fastest to disasters, it is the community that needs to know how to respond.

Japan has already done this on some level. Every year, offices and schools are subject to simulation exercises on dealing with disasters. Thus many Japanese now know the proper course of action to take and behavior to engage in should an earthquake occur. The rest of Asia now needs to follow suit.

Indeed, much education and preparation still needs to take place in Asia. An Oxfam report showed that almost 80 percent of natural disaster fatalities lived in Asia. However, Asia only had 43 percent of these disasters. That means that Asia is bearing the financial brunt of approximately half of these disasters over the last two decades. Hence for those investing in the area, it is somewhat problematic. Part of why this is happening is because increasingly large amounts of people are populating the most vulnerable areas. In addition, the Oxfam report found that “the number of people exposed to coastal flooding in Asia is expected to increase by 50 percent by 2030.”

In more positive news however, CFOs believe that Southeast Asia’s economic forecast is looking good. Currently, according to data from the Deloitte Southeast Asia CFO Survey 2014, the region is experiencing “manageable inflation and moderate interest rates.”

So if Asia takes care of its climactic issues, economic growth and become an attractive investment location in the foreseeable future remain not unrealistic possibilities.

 

Top Cities for Real Estate Investment in Asia

January 5th, 2014

Real estate in Asia is on the rise, with investors from all over the world flocking to the growing market. The top cities for real estate investment in the region today are:

  1. Tokyo
  2. Shanghai
  3. Jakarta
  4. Manila
  5. Sydney
  6. Guangzhou
  7. Singapore
  8. Beijing
  9. Osaka

Japan’s real estate market has been attracting numerous real estate investors ever since the economic reforms introduced by the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, making Tokyo the top pick for investors around the globe.

A consultant explained: “When you have a government desperately trying to stimulate inflation and that likes handing money to the JREITs [Japanese real estate investment trusts] directly to allow them to go out and spend, then you’d expect there to be some positive movement.”

Asian Stocks Boosted By Smartphone Sales

January 30th, 2013

Asian stocks generally rose this past week; Hong Kong and Australian markets remained high in anticipation of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s new policy choice, while a number of Japanese shares increased as a result of smartphone exposure.

The Hong Kong Hang Send Index climbed 1 percent after reaching its highest level since May of 2011. The Shanghai Composite Index made slow but definite progress as well, growing 0.2 percent.

In Japan, the Nikkei Stock Average increased 1.2 percent. Outlook on earnings actually buoyed the Japanese market over the past week. For example, Yahoo Japan Corp. grew a whopping 15.7 percent after updated their fiscal-year prediction to a 10-11 percent gain.

Telecoms saw significant earnings-related purchasing as well after the Nikkei reported a 10 percent gain forecast thanks to the company’s iPhone sales. Similarly, KDDI Corp. revealed a 40 percent gain in operating profit after evaluating their iPhone sales.

 

The Rise of Asia

August 23rd, 2010

The stock market in Asia – Pacific region is unique in the world to keep green in most of the trading week , except week session key swing by the action from Europe and America .

As of the week , the index MSCI Asia – Pacific increased 0.4 % to 118.29 points , after declining 3.7 % in the previous week. Index is down 8.4 % from the peak years of the date 15/04/2010 . Shanghai ‘s Composite Index of China increased 1.4 % . Nikkei 225 down 0.8 % in Japan . South Korea ‘s Kospi rose 1.7 % .

Although Japanese economic decline in the second quarter , but the opportunities to create momentum for China ahead . According to data released Tuesday by the Japanese 16 / 8 , the total domestic product ( GDP ) of Japan is 1286 billion dollars , lower than the figure of 1335 billion U.S. dollars in China.

Along with the change of his two economies Japan, China , a number of countries and territories in Asia last week has emerged stronger . Central Bank of Malaysia , Zeti Akhtar Aziz said the country’s economy grew 8.9 % in quarter 2 / 2010 over the same period last year and expected to grow 6 % in 2010.

But according to the statistical offices of Taiwan (China ) , GDP quarterly 2 / 2010 of the area has grown 12.53 % over the same period last year . Quarter 1 / 2010 , the rate of economic growth in Taiwan reached 13.71 % . Taiwan ‘s exports could grow more than 30 % this year .

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Monday 20 / 8 expressed confidence that the export sector will help boost gross domestic product ( GDP ) this year of at least 7 % . Mr. Abhisit said Thai economic growth of 10% in first 6 months of 2010 primarily due to strong export growth .

Quarter 2 / 2010 , European economic growth 1 % quarter U.S. economic growth 1 / 2010 the first published data is 2.4 % and could be adjusted downward to 1.4 % last week , can assert Asian economic growth will be the first ship of the global economy in 2010 .

Britain’s Telegraph newspaper recently described a series of statistical data was very positive about the growth of the Southeast Asian country . Accordingly, in 2010, Singapore will achieve economic growth record of 15 % , 7 % followed by Malaysia , Indonesia, Philippines 6.6 % and 6 % .

The newspaper said that following the global economic downturn 2008-2009 , some Southeast Asian countries have recovered quickly . This area is becoming attractive investment in the context of Vietnam and Thailand is rising next to the economy is considered development in the region such as Singapore .

According to the newspaper , the national investment funds and individual investors now want to choose Asia and Southeast Asia to increase investment by the ability to achieve high profits . Last year, Fidelity Investment Fund has spent 25% of investment in Southeast Asia , while Aberdeen and First State Fund respectively for 35 % and 25 % investment in the region.

Meanwhile, today 19 / 8 , the Asian Development Bank ( ADB ) has published a report said the middle class (the consumers from U.S. $ 2-30 per day ) of the rapidly expanding Asia will be able to act as leading consumer and help re- balance the economy .

This report is in a special edition of the main indicators for Asia and the Asia – Pacific 2010 . Accordingly, studies show that Asian consumers consumption around 4300 billion dollars , equivalent to one third of the consumption of industrialized countries ( OECD ) .

Japan’s MUFG bank buys China stake in BNP Paribas

August 12th, 2010

MUFGThe largest Japanese bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), has secured access to the apparently promising Chinese mutual fund market. As rumored on Monday ininvestment circles, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) is set to take over the share of French BNP Paribas in its Chinese joint venture, SYWG BNP Paribas. The price for the 33 percent stake amounts to 50 million dollars (38.4 million euros), said in verhandlungsnahen circles.

The French bank has to follow existing laws and Chinese law separate from the share, as foreign investors may be present only through a single joint venture in China. Remaining after a BNP Paribas sell nor a joint venture with Fortis Haitong a market share around two percent.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) would thereby entering the Chinese market created for investment funds, whose volume is estimated at 300 billion dollars. The bank reported to have sat through against about a dozen rivals, including the Japanese bank Nomura Holdings, the London-based Ashmore Group. More than 30 foreign financial firms, including JPMorgan and Credit Suisse, based in China joint venture.

Business investment increased by 1.1 percent in Hokkaido

August 3rd, 2010

The Hokkaido branch of the Bank of Japan said yesterday, the amount of capital investment in Hokkaido in 2010 increased 1.1 percent . Increased in two areas in particular: Food Manufacturing and Steel.

Food Manufacturing increased19.4% over the previous year with a 1178 billion yen forecast . Steel rose 22.9 percent. The investment continues to remain high for a nuclear -related materials connect to Steel Works .

As expected non-manufacturing industries decreased by 5.7% 2517 million yen . The development of the New Chitose Airport International Terminal finished another investment round, yet there was another 29 % decline in real estate.