{
  "id": 15591186,
  "title": "Hedge funds target Japanese stocks at inaugural Sohn Tokyo conference",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/hedge-funds-target-japanese-stocks-at-inaugural-sohn-tokyo-conference",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-19T09:17:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hedgeweek",
    "slug": "hedgeweek",
    "url": "https://hedgeweek.com/news/hedge-funds-target-japanese-stocks-at-inaugural-sohn-tokyo-conference"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hedge fund executives highlighted investment prospects in Japanese equities during the inaugural Sohn Tokyo Investment Conference, according to Bloomberg. The conference took place on October 16, attracting top hedge fund managers who presented stocks they believe have substantial upside, amid renewed interest in Japanese equities following recent market highs. Hideki Kinuhata, chief investment officer at Silq Capital, pointed to machine-tool maker Makino Milling Machine as a promising investment, citing its successful defense against takeovers and projected 80% earnings growth over the next three years due to rising demand in aerospace, defense, and satellite sectors. Software companies were also highlighted, with Japan Catalyst portfolio manager Riho Yokozawa predicting an 80% revenue increase for accounting software provider OBIC Business Consultants, driven by pricing power despite AI disruption concerns. Marc Wallach, partner and portfolio manager at Ruane Cunniff, backed financial software developer Money Forward, citing favorable conditions for software profitability in Japan, projecting operating margins of up to 30% and annual earnings growth of 25%. Harmonic Drive Systems was identified by Masaki Gotoh, chief investment officer at TriVista Capital, as benefiting from the growing demand for humanoid robotics and physical AI, with established expertise in precision components for industrial robots. Outside Japan, Change Global Investment's Thea Jamison identified Indonesian telecommunications firm PT Telkom Indonesia as a potential 90% upside opportunity, despite recent market volatility, while Eduardo Marques, chief investment officer at Pertento Partners, expressed a bullish outlook on South Korea's Hanwha Corp, projecting a 100% upside amid increasing global defense spending. In Japan's financial sector, Polymer Capital Management's Daisuke Nakayama backed Orix Corp, citing potential for stronger growth and higher valuation multiples following a shift towards generating earnings through third-party capital and leverage. Blue Orca Capital's Soren Aandahl pointed to Rohm, Chubu Electric Power, and TRE Holdings as beneficiaries of Toshiba's potential IPO, arguing that a future listing could generate significant gains relative to the companies' market capitalizations. The conference also featured discussions on activist investing, with Oasis Management founder Seth Fischer renewing his campaign against Japanese drugstore operator Kusuri no Aoki Holdings, demanding explanations for stock options issued to family members and highlighting the ongoing importance of shareholder activism in Japan's corporate governance landscape.",
  "summary": "Hedge fund managers highlighted investment opportunities across Japanese equities at the inaugural Sohn Tokyo Investment Conference, as corporate governance reforms and profitability attract renewed investor interest, according to a report by Bloomberg. The event, held on 16 October, brought together prominent hedge fund managers pitching stocks they believe offer significant upside, against a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}