As Japanese companies work to improve corporate governance, they are attracting more foreign investors looking to cash in on the changed business climate.

Statistics released by the Tokyo Stock Exchange and other Japanese bourses show that the ratio of foreign ownership in the country’s stocks remained almost unchanged in the fiscal year through March 2018 from a year earlier at 30.2%. Despite this, Japan Inc. is increasingly feeling the influence of overseas investment funds.This was seen in the recently announced merger of Idemitsu Kosan and Showa Shell Sekiyu, planned for spring 2019. The contentious deal may not have happened without a push from activist fund Oasis Management.

Source: Foreign investors see value in Japan Inc’s good governance – Nikkei Asian Review