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A list that ranks various Japanese companies based on market innovation in the first half of 2014 is presented which includes precision motors manufacturer Nidec Corp., financial services company Orix Corp., and energy firm Tokyo Gas Co.

The article focuses on the effort of chief executive officers (CEO) to increase corporate profitability in response to key economic and political policies implemented by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe's policies include a 10.6-trillion Japanese yen fiscal stimulus plan, the appointment of a new governor at the Bank of Japan, implementing a quantitative easing program and doubling the inflation target to 2%. The list of the 2013 All-Japan Executive Team Most Honored Companies is offered.

The article discusses the divided opinions of market observers on the attractiveness of Japan as a financial market in 2013. Some market observers recommended investments in the country because of rising stock prices, increasing real gross domestic product (GDP) growth and high levels of investor interest. Other observers warned about the high cost of capital and the monetary policy of the Bank of Japan. A chart of the top-performing financial institutions in the country is also presented.

The article reports that the investment markets are expecting a policy shift at the Bank of Japan (BOJ) as Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Shinzo Abe urges for actions to end deflation. It describes the economic performance of Japan in relation to the policy approach and deflation-related actions taken by BOJ. It also discusses the issue of political pressure in Japan, as well as the efforts of BOJ to address deflation and stimulate the economy.

The article presents a brief profile of Japan's best analysts of the year. In the auto business Tatsuo Yoshida of the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) stood out for he had strong insights on new products. The auto parts industry has Kunihiro Matsumoto of UBS was praised for having the ability for accurate views that helped lift returns. For banking, Hironaki Nozaki of Citi had been chosen for his talent to distill everything to one bullet point.

The article offers an update on the ranking of investment analysts in Japan as of 2009. Takaki Nakanishi of JPMorgan Securities Japan ranks first in the automobile industry. Nobuyoshi Miura of NikkoCiti obtains the top spot in the beverages, food and tobacco industry. The first place in the broadcasting industry was reclaimed by Shinsuke Iwasa of UBS.

The article profiles several chief executive officers (CEOs) in Japan. Masahiro Sakane, incoming CEO of Komatsu, embarked on a restructuring strategy to slash company's costs by ¥50 billion a year, while revving up the company's technology R&D. Shigenobu Nagarnori, the founder and chief executive of Nidec Corp., says that the key to sustaining growth is to manage the company as if it were still a start-up. A list of the chief executives of Japanese companies is presented, including Takanori Kitano of Stanley Electric Co. and Hachiro Honjo of Ito En.

The article provides information on the top securities analysts in Japan. Leading the way among securities analysts in the resurgent Japanese economy is Nomura Securities, winner of Institutional Investor's All-Japan Research Team survey. Rounding out the top ten are Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., which rises to sixth place from eighth, Credit Suisse, rising from eleventh to seventh, Deutsche Securities, which slips from sixth to eighth and Morgan Stanley Japan, which slips two notches to ninth place, where it ties with Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Co.

This article features several business research firms in Japan. Nomura Securities Co. has 60 analysts covering Japanese equities in Tokyo. Meanwhile, UBS nearly doubles its number of first-teamers, from seven to 12 out of a total of 30 analysts, giving UBS more top-ranked researchers than any other brokerage. Nomura Asset Management has increased the size of its buy-side analyst team by 50 percent since 2001.

Discusses the increased reliance of foreign investors on local researchers in Japan in 2004. Expansion of the research staff of Mizuho Securities Equities Research; Disruptions faced by Japanese firms; Advantage of global firms over local Japanese rivals.

Presents information on Japanese analysts included in the 2003 All-Japan Research Team. Kunihiko Shiohara; Shinji Kakiuchi; Masaaki Yamaguchi.

Presents the top financial management companies in Japan in 2002. Performance of the Tokyo Stock Exchange; Economic condition of the country in 2001; Important competitors in Japan's equity investment trust business.

Provides information on the top ranking money managers in Asia as of October 2000. Mergers and acquisitions in Asia made by companies, such as Chase Manhattan Corp. and Principal Financial Group; Growth of investments in different sectors; Drop in market shares of companies in Japan; Companies that are forming strategic alliances in China. INSET: How the rankings were compiled.

Ranks investment analysts in Japan as of May 2000. Naoto Hashimoto of Nomura Securities Co.; Toru Nagai of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter; Kiyohisa Ota of Merrill Lynch Japan; Yoshihiko Yamamoto of Nikko Salomon Smith Barney. INSET: Picking the team.

Discusses corporate downsizing in Japan. Information on Shinya Ishizu, president of Asahi Glass Co.; Companies who have plans to reduce staff and production; Change in Japanese business; Economic and political implications of the restructuring; Reason shutting down excess capacity is so expensive. INSET: Capacity Conundrum.

Reports that the Industrial Bank of Japan (IBJ) is gearing up to defend its home turf against the world's most powerful financial institutions. Rationale behind Japan's long-term-credit-bank system; Career history of IBJ president and chief executive officer Masao Nishimura; Financial deregulation in Japan.

The article discusses the positive effect of the March 11, 2011 Japanese earthquake. It states that the disaster may have initiated one of the solutions to Japan's stagnant economy and bring a stop from its decades of deflation. It mentions economic developments including the Bank of Japan's massive injection of liquidity to improve the country's financial system and its doubling to 10 trillion Japanese yen its existing program of purchasing bonds from financial instruments to help boost the economy.

The article reports on the performance of the bond markets in Asia. Sean Henderson, head of debt syndicate for Asia Pacific at HSBC, says the stability of the local currency markets, which grew marginally in 2008 made them even more important in 2009. According to the article, the Indian rupee bond market is coming into its own in the wake of destructions in world markets. It adds that the Japanese market is one of the first pockets of the bond market which is expected to reopen in 2009.

Looks at the status of the real estate investment trusts (REIT) market in Japan. Challenges in creating and marketing REIT; What caused the limitation in the securitized real estate market in Japan; Government measures that have stimulated the real estate market.

The article reports on the changes to the Japanese retirement savings system which is expected to allow tax-advantaged savings plans. It is noted that the government intends to allow small companies to make contributions to employees' individual retirement accounts to bring employees of small employers into the system. It is stated that some D C plan administrators have reduced initial setup and ongoing administration fees to zero to entice new participants in Japan.

Focuses on the increasing interest of Japanese businessmen on art trade. Impact of Impressionist and Postimpressionist painting on the Japanese tradition of printmaking; Information on the International Auction Organization; List of paintings that will be marketed in Japan.

Reports on the challenges faced by Japan Financial Supervisory Agency (FSA) Head Masaharu Hino in reestablishing trust in the country's bank inspection system following corruption scandals that hit the Ministry of Finance early 1998. Background on the establishment of FSA; Main responsibilities of Hino; Problem on the lack of experience among the FSA's corps of inspectors.

Focuses on the growth of Japanese strategic alliances with foreign companies. Factors driving the growth of mergers and acquisitions; Average transaction of mergers according to Isao Yamamoto, investment banking manager at Merrill Lynch Japan; Details on some merger deals in Japan.

The author discusses the trend in which global bond portfolios use issuance-weighted indexes as benchmarks. She notes that issuance-weighted indexes are dominated by developed bond markets such as the U.S., Europe and Japan, with investors buying more of the bonds of cash-strapped countries and regions. Fidelity launched the Global Bond Fund and International Bond Fund which have 100 million dollars in total assets and benchmarked to gross domestic product (GDP)-weighted indexes.

The article offers information on Japan's Best Analysts for the Year 2010 including Tatsuo Yoshida of UBS for the automotive sector, Hironari Nozakik of Citi for the banks sector, and Naomi Takagi of J.P. Morgan for the beverages, food and tobacco sector.

Focuses on the impact of Japan's financial crisis on the rest of East Asia. Need for more capital by East Asian economies; Value of United States takeovers in Asia in 1998; South Korea President Kim Dae Jung's belief that foreign investments will solve the financial crisis in the country.