Japan

The necessity for reflation in today's market is a given, but the perceived success or failure by global authorities to revive their economies is an altogether different question, and one that is having a profound effect on investors' attitude to asset...

A background in zoology and marine biology has informed Iain Stewart's patient and intelligent investment style - just don't go telling him that finance is a science

The Japanese market has benefited from the improvement in investor confidence we have seen in recent months, although the weakness of the yen this year has been a negative for sterling-based investors (a reversal of the picture in 2008).

Japanese Smaller Companies sector makes gains of 25.4% over the last year

Managers Harker and Edwards break from 2008 position to outperform Japan peer group

The FTSE 100 has opened lower this morning as investor confidence was dented by weaker Asian markets overnight and a flat US session on Monday.

Having recorded further heavy losses in early 2009 to reach a low point in March, share prices have rebounded strongly in recent months.

Japan's economy expanded 0.9% in the second quarter compared to the previous one, lifting hopes that it may be recovering after four quarters of contraction.

Contrary to popular opinion, the investment trust sector is not shrinking, but rather booming on the back of increasing specialisation

Recent years have not been kind to the Japanese stock market.