< The 2016 All-Japan Research Team
Manabu Akizuki
Nomura
First-place appearances: 0
Total appearances: 8
Team debut: 2009
After three years as a runner-up, Manabu Akizuki of Nomura rises to reclaim the No. 3 position he held in 2012. He provides research on 14 Japanese electronics components providers and shares coverage of five additional names with a colleague. Given the macroeconomic cycle’s downward trend, Akizuki says, he is exploring the question of “what would be the next driver of the [information technology] hardware industry” should global output pull back this year. The answer, he contends, is cloud-based IT infrastructure and architecture, especially as it takes hold in emerging economies and as networks provide better services by connecting to private and public transportation systems, electric vehicle charging stations and the like. “Hopefully, we would be able to see early signs pointing to such development” in the year ahead, the 44-year-old analyst says. He prefers manufacturers — namely, Kyoto’s Murata Manufacturing Co. and Nidec Corp. and TDK Corp. of Tokyo — that supply key components for use in electric vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems, explaining that “with these technologies, automotive is becoming more and more like robotics.” Akizuki reminds investors, though, that the worldwide economic outlook may weigh on these stocks in the near term. “I appreciate his accurate numbers and his view of the sector,” applauds one backer.