PSA Japan Research Round-Up for the Week ending October 18

The Weekly Comment Summary by Pelham Smithers
This week, Japan’s MoF said it wants to drastically tighten rules regarding foreign investment in “sensitive” companies seen as being of national importance. There have been fierce reactions, not least from the TSE. Pelham Smithers comments.

Reports / Flash Notes Summaries this Week
1. Sony (6758 JT): PS5 and the Future of Console Gaming
Company / Sector / Thematic Comments
Technology: Consumer Electronics, Gaming
1. Readthrough from Bandai Namco (7832 JT) / Sotsu (3711 JT) Deal
2. NPD Data shows Nintendo’s (7974 JT) Switch Outsold the PS4 and Xbox
Technology: Industrial Electronics / SPE / Components / Precision
3. Hitachi (6501 JT) in 800v xEV Inverter Move
4. Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) Buys EUV Equipment / Positive Results from ASML (AMSL US)
Chemicals / Materials
5. TSMC’s (2330 TT) Confidence is Auspicious for the Supply Chain
6. Tanaka Chemical (4080 KT) Ties Up with Northvolt (pvt.)
Autos
7. China Auto Sales Continued to Fall in September; Japan’s Assemblers Outperform
8. South Korea Embraces Self-Driving Technologies
9. Toyota (7203 JT) Goes Small at Tokyo Motor Show
Auto Parts / Machinery
10. Yaskawa (6506 JT) Back to Pre-Q2 Levels; Construction Machinery Rises Again
11. Fanuc (6954 JT) Up with Index
12. Yaskawa (6506 JT), Daifuku (6383 JT) Firm on Semi Recovery Theme
13. Takeuchi Mfg (6432 JT) Sinks 7% Over 2 Days on Flooding
Internet
14. Mercari May See Wider Loss in FY20
Enterprise Software
15. Amazon Japan Growing Its Osaka Office Space by 60%
Telecoms
16. Yet Another Change to KDDI’s (9433 JT) Price Plan
Miscellaneous
17. MonotaRO (3064 JT): Highest Daily Sales Yet / Comparison with Misumi (9962 JT)
18. Kitanotatsujin (2930 JT): 2Q OP +67%
Macro
19. China Economy on the Mend?

PSA Company Visits, Tours and Interviews
• Interviewed / Conference Call with: Yaskawa Electric (6506 JT), Takeuchi Mfg (6432 JT)