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Overview
The Martin Currie Japan Equity strategy has a long-standing reputation for identifying and partnering with some of the fastest growing companies in Japan.
The leadership duo is experienced in studious fundamental analysis and constructing concentrated portfolios – a philosophy that aligns with the long-term legacy of the strategy. Quality remains a bedrock of the research process where the team choose to partner with management which has demonstrated effective strategic leadership over the long term, assessing the extent of value creation inherent in capital allocation decisions.
The team continue to operate a concentrated, low turnover portfolio composed of companies on steep growth trajectories; they look for firms with robust business models, strong management teams, but fundamentally trading on reasonable multiples. This enables the team to assert meaningful conviction in their best ideas. Benefitting from the power of compounding, the strategy seeks to generate returns superior to the broad Japanese market.
The team recognise the importance of prevailing societal and economic themes, and these trends are incorporated into their fundamental company analysis. By screening the investment universe for exposure to the structural themes embedded in the culture of Japanese society, the research team can scrutinise the business models of a subset of companies already benefitting from long term tailwinds.
Key Information
To achieve capital growth through investment in securities of Japanese companies
Portfolio characteristics | Japan Equity |
---|---|
Objective | Long-Term Growth |
Asset Class | Equities |
Style | Growth |
Investable Universe | Japanese listed shares |
Benchmark | The Japan TSE 1st Section (TOPIX) Index |
Market capitalisation | All-cap |
Allocation | Unconstrained |
Number of stocks | 30-50 |
Portfolio turnover | 20-40% |
Inception | October 1996 |
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"By screening the investment universe for exposure to the structural themes embedded in the culture of Japanese society, we can scrutinise the business models of a subset of companies already benefitting from long term tailwinds."
Why Invest in Japan Equity
Structural quality growth
Our investment philosophy is centred on identifying and partnering with quality Japanese companies subjected to steep growth trajectories.
The New Japan
We narrow our focus to those companies already benefitting from the long term tailwinds inherent in 'The New Japan' philosophy.
Fundamental
Our concentrated portfolios are constructed on an unconstrained and fundamental basis. We conduct rigorous company analysis to identify firms with robust business models but fundamentally trading on reasonable multiples.
Investment Strategy
Strategy Guide
The Martin Currie Japan Equity strategy has a long-standing reputation for identifying and partnering with some of the fastest growing companies in Japan.

Investment Team

Reiko Mito
- Job title
- Head of Japan Strategy and Research
- Experience
- 23 years

Paul Danes
- Job title
- Portfolio Manager, Japan
- Experience
- 29 years
How to Invest
Available Funds
We offer access to the strategy via segregated accounts and separately managed accounts.
Through our parent company, Franklin Templeton, investors are offered access to the below fund.

FTF Japan Equity Fund
Our Capabilities
Contact Us
Please visit our contact page or speak to a member of our sales team, to discuss the most appropriate investment to meet your requirements and for more information on our investment capabilities.
Mel Bucher
Head of Global Distribution
T: +44 (0) 131 479 4748
M: +44 (0) 758 414 7720
E: mbucher@martincurrie.com
Mark Elliott
Head of UK Business Development
M: +44 (0) 207 0738 569
E: melliott@martincurrie.com
Tim Baker, CFA®
Associate Client Portfolio Manager
M: +44 (0) 7795238754
E: tbaker@martincurrie.com
Contact Us
Please visit our contact page or speak to a member of our sales team, to discuss the most appropriate investment to meet your requirements and for more information on our investment capabilities.
Mel Bucher
Head of Global Distribution
T: +44 (0) 131 479 4748
M: +44 (0) 758 414 7720
E: mbucher@martincurrie.com
Contact Us
Please visit our contact page or speak to a member of our sales team, to discuss the most appropriate investment to meet your requirements and for more information on our investment capabilities.
Mel Bucher
Head of Global Distribution
T: +44 (0) 131 479 4748
M: +44 (0) 758 414 7720
E: mbucher@martincurrie.com
Mark Elliott
Head of UK Business Development
M: +44 (0) 207 0738 569
E: melliott@martincurrie.com
Tim Baker, CFA®
Associate Client Portfolio Manager
M: +44 (0) 7795238754
E: tbaker@martincurrie.com
Contact Us
Please visit our contact page or speak to a member of our sales team, to discuss the most appropriate investment to meet your requirements and for more information on our investment capabilities.
Mark Cho, CFA®
Head of Americas Distribution
Intermediary Sales/Wealth Management
T: +1 212 632 3292
E: mcho@martincurrie.com
Breanna Ellsworth, CFA®
Client Portfolio Manager, Distribution - US
T: +1 212 632 3293
E: bellsworth@martincurrie.com
Drew Comatos
Client Portfolio Manager, North America
Intermediary Sales/Wealth Management
T: +1 203 703 6472
E: dcomatos@martincurrie.com
Contact Us
We offer access to the strategy via segregated accounts and separately managed accounts.
Please visit our contact page or speak to a member of our sales team, to discuss the most appropriate investment to meet your requirements and for more information on our investment capabilities.
Felicity Walsh
Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand
M: +61 (0) 429 209 566
E: Felicity.Walsh@franklintempleton.com
Related Insights
-
Martin Currie appoints Reiko Mito as Head of Japan Equity Strategy and Research
Reiko Mito joins newly created Martin Currie Japan Equity team following the firm’s strategic decision to build and offer dedicated Japan Equity capabilities.
- Date published
- 18 Jul 2022
- Tag
- Japan Equity
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Important Information
Past performance is not a guide to future returns
This information is issued and approved by Martin Currie Investment Management Limited (‘MCIM’). It does not constitute investment advice. Market and currency movements may cause the capital value of shares, and the income from them, to fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested.
The analysis of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors form an important part of the investment process and helps inform investment decisions. The strategy does not necessarily target particular sustainability outcomes.
The information provided should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security. It should not be assumed that any of the security transactions discussed here were, or will prove to be, profitable.
The views expressed are opinions of the named manager as of the date of this document and are subject to change based on market and other conditions and may differ from other portfolio managers or of the firm as a whole. These opinions are not intended to be a forecast of future events, research, a guarantee of future results or investment advice.
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