Where obsession meets opportunity: Japan’s ‘overlooked’ small caps
发布时间 2025-10-23 13:00:00 来源
摘要
Japan’s smaller companies represent a “niche and overlooked” asset class, but that’s precisely the growth opportunity, says Brian Lum. The Baillie Gifford investment manager reveals some of the standouts he’s recently met, including a firm using AI to forecast the weather more accurately and another helping people with disabilities get hired.Background:Brian Lum became lead manager of Baillie Gifford Shin Nippon investment trust and joint manager of our Japanese Smaller Companies Fund in May. In this episode, he shares stories from a busy trip to the country, his first in his new roles. And he explains why Japan enjoys some of the world’s best conditions to nurture innovative and disruptive growth businesses.Companies discussed include:Weathernews – a business safeguarding ships and planes from storms and helping convenience stores anticipate which goods will experience surges in demand.LITALICO – a firm that specialises in providing training to people with mental and physical disabilities.Soracom – a company blending generative AI with Internet of Things sensors.Seria – the retailer obsessing over every detail to make a profit from selling goods for the equivalent of 50p (65 cents).KOHOKU KOGYO – the manufacturer demonstrating high craftsmanship to ensure electric cars run safely and smoothly. Resources:Baillie Gifford Shin NipponDisruption WeekJapanese Smaller Companies FundQuantum Computing Since DemocritusShort Briefings on Long Term ThinkingSWCC Showa: rewiring JapanVirtual visionaries: Japan’s Cover Corp rules the VTubing realm Companies mentioned include:KOHOKU KOGYOLITALICONikkisoPsiQuantumSeriaSoracomSWCCWeathernews Timecodes:00:00 Introduction01:55 Japanese influences02:25 A focus on smaller companies03:55 The Galápagos Syndrome06:25 Learned lessons08:00 Face-to-face meetings08:55 LITALICO training workers with disabilities12:55 Weathernews and climate change15:00 AI-enhanced weather forecasts16:35 Soracom mixes generative AI with the Internet of Things20:40 Seria’s detail-obsessed 100-yen shops23:15 KOHOKU KOGYO’s crafted components25:30 The long-term perspective26:30 A niche, overlooked opportunity28:30 Book choice
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