Yosuke Tomimatsu Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Yosuke Tomimatsu debuts in the No. 3 spot; the Bank of America Merrill Lynch analyst is also a runner-up in Software/Business. Tomimatsu is determined to “narrow the gap between the stock market and the Internet industry,” declares one backer, while another praises the researcher’s “consistently accurate earnings forecasts.” In 2011, Tomimatsu was positive on online gaming companies such as Gree and DeNa Co., both of which are headquartered in Tokyo and have been enjoying strong growth and gaining market share. “I retain essentially the same views for 2012, but with stronger focus on the overseas operations of companies,” he says. “The industry as a whole also continues to bottom out, and I expect more and more small and midcaps in the sector to make significant advances.”  — Pam Baker

RUNNER(S)-UP
- Masashi Morita Okasan Securities Co.
- Mia Nagasaka Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities Co.
- Yuta Sakurai Nomura Securities Co.