< The 2015 All-Japan Research Team

Total appearances: 6

Analyst debut: 2010

Up one notch to second place, the position he most recently held in 2011, is Daiwa Securities Group’s Jiro Kojima. He reports on 15 Japanese small and OTC names and is currently enthusiastic about companies positioned to benefit from either lower raw materials prices or increased use of electronics and even advanced robotics — although opportunities exist anywhere there are “new industry shifts,” advises Kojima, 47. Clients appreciate his steadfastly positive stance on Tokyo-based Open House Co. The real estate services provider wins his favor thanks to declining construction costs and rising demand for investment properties. Long rated a buy, the stock soared 67.4 percent, to ¥2,831, during the 12 months through late March, outperforming the sector by 35.9 percentage points. The researcher believes that fundamentals support a price of ¥3,090. He also recommends that investors favor Tokyo-based interior design and display company Nomura Co., crediting its robust order flow from upgrades related to the 2020 Summer Olympics. “Jiro finds under-the-radar investment themes,” attests one buy-side ally.