Today is a national holiday, Marine Day, in Japan. Marine Day （third Monday of July）: day for giving thanks for the many blessings Japan receives from the ocean as a country completely surrounded by water and also for reaffirming the people’s desire to prosper as a maritime country （designated as a day to remember the ocean in 1941; became a national holiday in 1996）. A odd holiday, but it is a good day-off to ponder the European crisis. A shrewd trader can make the most of this uncertain period.
TOPICS OF THE WEEK
To promote money and business flow between Japan and Malaysia is always the task No.1 to me, the head of Subsidiar of an Malaysian entity.
One way is to raise a shariah compliant private-equity in Japan. This will help Japan to promote new buinsess after the Great Quake, while it will create a new investment class to Malaysian and GCC investors particularly who were limited to make investment only shariah compliant targets.
Another way is to launch a Malaysian fund to Japanese institutional and retail investors. Malaysia, together with Indonesia, is the country which enjoys the longest population bonus among ASEAN countires. The country is rich in natural resources and is suppling industrial products to developed countries. The country looks most stable in APAC nations.
Please be informed that PNB keeps the best position to promote money and business flows between Malaysia and Japan.
MARKETS
July 13 1 week%Change
NIKKEI 8724.12 -3.28
TOPIX 746.34 -3.30
Weak corporate earnings in the U.S. and no visible results from the Euro Finance Ministers’ meeting were the main reasons of more than 3% reduction for the last week. This week will be another directionless week. The market will keep weak sentiments as QE3 and BOJ are not expected in imminent future.
ECONOMY
Generally speaking, sentiment is better on Japanese economy. People may spend more during summer holidays. The year’s recruitment of newly grads from universities will be improved, according to Nikkei Newspaper.
Although China slowdown may be the risk factor, Japanese economic performance must be better than other developed economies.
Comparing to Taiwan and Korea, Japan will less vulnerable to the European and American recessionary situation.
POLITICS
Now, the ruling DPJ was split because a group led by Mr. Ozawa said SAYONARA to PM Noda. Ozawa decides his party name, Kokumin no kurashiga ichiban. It literally means “People’s Livelihoods First,” which is regarded as joke by many Japanese voters.
Political situation becomes very fluid. Japan does not have time to waste in playing musical chairs. Only solution will be a general election to decide undecided issues.
See you next week!