Executive Summary

  1. Former Prime Minister Abe was gunned down while delivering an election campaign speech. He leaves a long legacy of achievements, chief among them his eponymous "Abenomics" policies that worked to revitalize the Japanese economy following the Great East Japan Earthquake and his remarkable presence on the global diplomatic stage.
  2. Due in part to the sudden death of Abe, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) scored a major victory in an Upper House election on 10th July, giving Prime Minister Kishida a "three golden years" free of national elections. Specifics of the "new form of capitalism" that Prime Minister Kishida has been advocating remain unclear. We expect that the policies Kishida is aiming for will be revealed as the new power balance amongst the factions in his party gradually becomes clear following the death of Abe.
  3. While Kishida is expected to succeed Abenomics, there is debate over changes in monetary easing policy due to the yen's depreciation, which has accelerated due to the Fed’s aggressive monetary tightening. With the Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kuroda's term of office coming to an end in April next year, we expect there will be more proactive debate over whether or not to continue the current monetary policy.
Image
New Upper house power balance.png

Former Prime Minister Abe's Achievements

The Japanese people were shocked and saddened by the death of Shinzo Abe. Many have praised the former Prime Minister for his strong leadership in turning Japan's economy around, which prior to his tenure had been hit hard by the Global Financial Crisis and the Great East Japan Earthquake. During his eight years and eight months in office, as the longest-serving prime minister in Japan’s history, he demonstrated deft political skill as a leader by strengthening the Japan-US alliance and conducting economic diplomacy with a focus on China. He also raised Japan's global presence. He succeeded in signing the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) even after the withdrawal of the US from the framework, which led to the formation of QUAD, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue between Japan, the US, Australia and India.

He continued to have a strong presence in the Japanese political scene even after stepping down in 2020 due to health issues. His death is expected to change the power map in the governing party. The cabinet reshuffle and the LDP executive appointments, which are expected to take place in August or September, will be an opportunity to examine the new balance.

Prime Minister Kishida's Economic Policy

One of the principles of the "new form of capitalism" that Kishida has been advocating is to strengthen distribution by encouraging wages and financial income increases, but some uncertainties remain. In a speech in the City of London in May, Kishida announced his intention to move forward with the "Income Doubling Plan," which includes a drastic expansion of NISA, a tax-exempt system for individual investors, and the creation of a new mechanism to induce people to invest their savings in asset management. He will have "three golden years" without a major national election, providing an opportunity for a long-term commitment to policies that include shifting from savings to investments. Kishida's policies include measures to combat high prices, support higher wages, decarbonisation, and digitalisation, but how smoothly he will be able to promote his policies will depend on the balance of power among the LDP lawmakers. Kishida prioritises narrowing down rich-poor disparities while there are strong voices from members of houses who are pro-competition within the party.

In the past, the increase in financial income taxation that Kishida proposed was so unpopular with the market that it had to be withdrawn. In the event that discussions on the revision of financial income taxation proceed, it is likely that a market-friendly design will be considered that reduces the tax rate for low-income taxpayers. Depending on the design, the system may contribute to economic growth through distribution to low-income taxpayers, who have a higher propensity to consume, by correcting the relatively large post-income redistribution gap from an international perspective. However, at the moment, the market sees it as simply a tax increase, so if it were to be revisited, close communication with the market would be essential.

Expected Monetary Policy

Despite some voices that wonder about the sustainability of the current monetary policy, many believe that the large-scale monetary easing, one of the pillars of Abenomics, will continue in the interim. BOJ Governor Kuroda indicated that he expects the inflation rate to remain around 2% for the time being but reiterated that the current easing will continue until the point necessary to sustain the price targets stably. In the meantime, the difference in the monetary policy of the US or European countries has weakened the yen, pushing up import costs.

With Kuroda's term coming to an end next April, the appointment of his successor is now in full swing. Some believe that the absence of Abe will change the dynamics within the ruling party and weaken the voices calling for the continuation of Abenomics. With the yen's depreciation contributing to price hikes, some believe Abenomics needs to be revised. Market participants expect two prospects: incumbent and former deputy Governors who served the BOJ for a long time. The appointment of the Governor requires prior approval of the diet, and the candidate will come to light early next year. The appointment of the successor will likely stimulate discussion on whether the BOJ will shift away from the current aggressive easing policy. We will closely monitor the situation.

This marketing communication is issued by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust International Limited (“SMTI”). SMTI is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), whose address is 12 Endeavour Square, London, E20 1JN, United Kingdom.

This marketing communication has been made available to you only because SMTI has classified you as a professional client in accordance with the FCA’s rules. If you have received this marketing communication from a source other than SMTI, you should contact SMTI before using it or relying on it. You must not send this marketing communication to any other person without first having received written approval from SMTI.

The information contained in this marketing communication (the “Material”) is being made available for information purposes only and is designed to provide information on the investment services which SMTI may offer to clients. Nothing in the Material amounts to or should be construed as an actual offer by SMTI to provide any investment services to any person. If SMTI agrees to provide any investment services to any person, those services will be the subject of a separate written agreement between SMTI and that person. Furthermore, the Material has not been prepared with any consideration of the individual circumstances of any person to whom it is communicated. Accordingly, it is not intended to, and does not, constitute a personnel recommendation in relation to the purchase or sale of, or exercise of any rights in relation to, any financial instruments or advice in relation to any investment policy or strategy to be followed. The Material also does not contain the results of any investment research carried out by SMTI and is not intended to amount to a financial promotion of any particular financial instrument which may be referred to in it.

While SMTI uses all reasonable endeavours to ensure the Material is accurate, it has not been prepared with a view to any person relying on it. Accordingly, SMTI accepts no responsibility for any loss caused to any recipient of this document as a result of any error, inaccuracy or incompleteness in the Material, nor for any error in the transmission or receipt of this communication.

Any enquiries regarding the products should be made to:
Hirofumi Hayashi
Head of Investment Management Department
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust International Limited
155 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3XU, United Kingdom
Direct: +44 20 7562 8405
Email: imd@smtil.com
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust International Limited is authorised and regulated by the
Financial Conduct Authority
© Sumitomo Mitsui Trust International Limited 2024