Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Convenience store retailing was one of the worst hit retail sectors during Covid as commuters and students stayed at home. Recovery has taken time but is on track. </li>
<li>Recovery aside, however, the sector has reached saturation, so the only way to grow is to maximise traffic to stores and the amount each customer spends.</li>
<li>This is forcing unprecedented innovation on a sector already famous for it but it won't be enough to generate the growth rates of the past.</li>
</ul>


Convenience store retailing was one of the worst hit retail sectors during Covid as commuters and students stayed at home. Recovery has taken time but is on track. 
Recovery aside, however, the sector has reached saturation, so the only way to grow is to maximise traffic to stores and the amount each customer spends.
This is forcing unprecedented innovation on a sector already famous for it but it won't be enough to generate the growth rates of the past.


Japanese Convenience Stores Recover but Where Will Future Growth Come From?

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

Shenton Research

Shenton Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analysed the earning revision of component stocks of MS-Japan in the past month.</li>
<li>We tabulated stocks with the top impact on index's EPS, stocks' EPS revision, and revenue revision.</li>
<li>We highlighted EPS revision on Recruit, Japan Exchange, Panasonic, Idemitsu Kosan, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, Nippon Steel, Kioxia.</li>
</ul>


We analysed the earning revision of component stocks of MS-Japan in the past month.
We tabulated stocks with the top impact on index's EPS, stocks' EPS revision, and revenue revision.
We highlighted EPS revision on Recruit, Japan Exchange, Panasonic, Idemitsu Kosan, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, Nippon Steel, Kioxia.


MS-Japan Index Earning Revision (Jul): Recruit, Japan Exchange, Panasonic, Idemitsu Kosan, Kioxia

Telco/Internet specialist

Kirk Boodry

Redex Research

<ul>
<li>The Japan telecom and Internet companies in our coverage universe held ¥1,253bn in public equities as of Q2(Sep) largely built through capital alliances tied to business collaboration</li>
<li>NTT has the largest portfolio at c. ¥958bn (7% of market cap) followed by KDDI. Toyota (¥354bn) and JTower (three strategic telcos) are the largest and most widely held </li>
<li>The P&amp;L impact of valuation changes in Q2 should be muted. We have included tables for all the companies in our coverage</li>
</ul>


The Japan telecom and Internet companies in our coverage universe held ¥1,253bn in public equities as of Q2(Sep) largely built through capital alliances tied to business collaboration
NTT has the largest portfolio at c. ¥958bn (7% of market cap) followed by KDDI. Toyota (¥354bn) and JTower (three strategic telcos) are the largest and most widely held 
The P&amp;L impact of valuation changes in Q2 should be muted. We have included tables for all the companies in our coverage


Japan Telecoms/Internet - A Quick Look at Public Equity Portfolios

<ul>
<li>Japan's telecom regulator has raised the issue of mobile spectrum auctions and is now soliciting public comments</li>
<li>We think this conflicts with national policies to boost ICT exports after years of trade deficits whilst new entrant Rakuten, which MIC supports to promote competition, would suffer</li>
<li>The proposals are for new spectrum only and current licenses and associated annual payments would not be affected. We remain overweight JP telcos, particularly NTT and KDDI</li>
</ul>


Japan's telecom regulator has raised the issue of mobile spectrum auctions and is now soliciting public comments
We think this conflicts with national policies to boost ICT exports after years of trade deficits whilst new entrant Rakuten, which MIC supports to promote competition, would suffer
The proposals are for new spectrum only and current licenses and associated annual payments would not be affected. We remain overweight JP telcos, particularly NTT and KDDI


Japan Telecoms - There Are Hurdles to the Introduction of Mobile Spectrum Auctions

<ul>
<li>5G-Capable devices now account for 25% of total devices in Japan. So far, 5G take-up appears to be quicker than 4G although that doesn't translate into higher revenue</li>
<li>MVNO subscriptions continue to grow despite former leader Rakuten moving users to its own network. IIJ remains the segment leader</li>
<li>Rakuten Mobile's subscriber woes have been well-flagged but another issue may be ahead as the migration of MVNO subs to the MNO platform has slowed in recent quarters.</li>
</ul>


5G-Capable devices now account for 25% of total devices in Japan. So far, 5G take-up appears to be quicker than 4G although that doesn't translate into higher revenue
MVNO subscriptions continue to grow despite former leader Rakuten moving users to its own network. IIJ remains the segment leader
Rakuten Mobile's subscriber woes have been well-flagged but another issue may be ahead as the migration of MVNO subs to the MNO platform has slowed in recent quarters.


Japan Telecoms - MIC Reports Telecom Subscription Data Including a Key 5G Milestone

Japan

Rakuten Group, Inc. provides Internet services. The Company offers Internet finance services which including "Rakuten Card" and "Rakuten Bank". Rakuten Group also provides digital content services including electronic book services.

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Rakuten (4755 JP)

Japanese Convenience Stores Recover but Where Will Future Growth Come From?

Japanese convenience stores are innovative, relentless competitors. It is just a shame the sector is at saturation. While there is growth potential...

Michael Causton

MS-Japan Index Earning Revision (Jul): Recruit, Japan Exchange, Panasonic, Idemitsu Kosan, Kioxia

We analyzed MS-Japan's consensus for Jul 2026 and highlighted changes of EPS in Recruit, Japan Exchange, Panasonic, Idemitsu Kosan, Mitsubishi UFJ...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Japan Telecoms/Internet - A Quick Look at Public Equity Portfolios

Public equity portfolios in our coverage represent 3% of total market cap, driven by capital alliances tied to business collaboration. We thought...

Kirk Boodry

Japan Telecoms - There Are Hurdles to the Introduction of Mobile Spectrum Auctions

The regulator has taken up the issue of mobile spectrum auctions again but we think a focus on ICT export and concerns on competition stand in the way

Kirk Boodry

Japan Telecoms - MIC Reports Telecom Subscription Data Including a Key 5G Milestone

MIC data highlights the rapid proliferation of 5G as capable devices exceed 25% two years after launch. The latest also reiterates mobile strength...

Kirk Boodry

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