Kota Yuzawa Goldman Sachs Japan Co.

After having spent the past two years in second place, Goldman Sachs Japan Co. analyst Kota Yuzawa slips one rung to third. “His cross-border approach — comparing Japanese automakers with their Korean and Chinese competitors — has been most helpful,” explains one sponsor. Such comparisons led to an August upgrade of Daihatsu Motor Co. from neutral to buy, at ¥1,208, largely because of the Osaka-based manufacturer’s low exposure to lagging U.S. markets. By the end of February, the shares had advanced 29 percent, to ¥1,558. During the same period the sector gained 20.3 percent.  — Ben Mattlin

RUNNER(S)-UP
- Masataka Kunugimoto Nomura Securities Co.
- Noriyuki Matsushima Citi