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Daiki Takayama
Goldman Sachs
Japan Co.
"He successfully identifies the sector’s key themes."
Rising one rung to finish on top for the first time since 2009 is Daiki Takayama, 41, of Goldman Sachs Japan Co. This year will see the second phase of smartphone and tablet market expansion, characterized by the introduction of low- to midprice products, penetration into emerging markets and upgrades by early adopters, the analyst predicts. “We believe profits will consolidate to a few components winners that can provide the best quality and cheapest technology,” Takayama says. “At the same time, components companies that belong to sluggish subindustries, such as PCs and hard disk drives, should move to restructure and rationalize their businesses in 2013.” He anticipates that two companies will gain from this expansion, as well as from an improved competitive position vis-à-vis rivals in South Korea because of the yen’s recent depreciation. Nitto Denko Corp., an Osaka-based maker of chemicals products used in industrial and electronic components, is expected to post record operating profits this year based on its production of indium-tin-oxide film, which is used in touch-screen panels; Kyoto-based Murata Manufacturing Co. supplies parts such as sensors used in touch-screen mobile phones and other devices and is gaining market share. Takayama “communicates his ideas clearly and with conviction,” lauds one fund manager. — Carolyn Koo