Author: Toshiro Hasegawa

As Japan awaits the selection of its next prime minister, it’s interesting to note that the leading candidates have opted not to invest in the country’s stock market. Shinjiro Koizumi and Sanae Takaichi, two top contenders, have reported owning no shares, while Shigeru Ishiba, the third main candidate, has stocks solely from inheritance. Despite the government’s push for people to invest in the stock market and redirect some of the massive ¥1 quadrillion held in bank accounts, the candidates seem to have stayed cautious. The recent volatility in the market was evident on Aug. 5, when the Nikkei average experienced…