被“忽视”的日股上涨，外资正在涌入

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the news is that Japan's stock market is experiencing a significant rebound, driven by various factors including a favorable US-Japan tariff agreement and increased confidence in corporate governance reforms [1][4][5] - The Tokyo Stock Price Index (TOPIX) has surged over 34% since its low on April 7, 2023, and surpassed the 3000-point mark for the first time on August 8, outperforming major indices in Europe and the US [1][4] - The rebound is characterized as a "Ninja-style" recovery, indicating a stealthy yet powerful resurgence in the market [1] Group 2 - The catalyst for the market's rise can be traced back to early April 2023, when the US announced a 10% minimum baseline tariff on trade partners, which initially caused market panic but was alleviated by a swift US-Japan trade agreement [4] - Under the agreement, the US will impose a 15% tariff on Japanese goods, lower than the previously threatened 25%, while Japan commits to establishing a $550 billion fund for direct investment in the US [4][5] - Foreign capital has been a significant driver of this market rally, with foreign investors net buying $35.7 billion worth of Japanese stocks since the tariff announcement [5] Group 3 - Japanese households are also increasingly investing in the stock market, spurred by the government's expansion of the NISA tax-exempt investment accounts in 2024 [6] - As of the end of last year, Japanese households held over $14 trillion in financial assets, with half still in cash or deposits, indicating potential for a shift towards equities [6] - The return of inflation and rising wages are prompting Japanese savers to reconsider their asset allocation, potentially leading to increased stock market investments [6] Group 4 - The overall price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of the Japanese market is nearing the historical upper limit tolerated by investors, but ongoing corporate governance reforms are redefining this limit [6][7] - The corporate governance reforms initiated in 2012 are beginning to show results, particularly after the Tokyo Stock Exchange implemented a "public naming" policy in 2023, which has forced companies to improve governance standards [6][7] - There is a long-term trend towards improved corporate governance, which is expected to unlock significant value in Japanese companies, particularly in sectors like defense, where companies like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have seen stock prices rise nearly 70% this year [7]