Tomohiro Araki Nomura
second team Hiroshi Torii Daiwa
third team Toshihiko Okino UBS
Debuting in first place in this new sector is Nomura’s Tomohiro Araki, who conducts “deep research into both public and private companies, which provides us with a unique view,” explains one fund manager. Araki, 34, downgraded Hankyu REIT to sell in July, at ¥419,000, on the thesis that the environment for leasing business space was deteriorating. The stock tumbled 17.1 percent, to ¥347,500, through February; during the same period the sector slipped 5.9 percent. Araki, who earned a bachelor’s degree in law at Waseda University in 1998, joined Nomura in 2005 from UFJ Bank, now part of Bank of Tokyo–Mitsubishi UFJ.
Hiroshi Torii claims second place. The Daiwa analyst “is usually the first one giving quick commentary after earnings are announced,” according to one investor. Clients continue to cheer Torii’s November 2008 upgrade from neutral to outperform on BLife Investment Corp., at ¥89,000, after Daiwa House Industry Co. agreed to manage the trust’s assets following the bankruptcy of its former manager, Morimoto Asset Management Co.Through February 2010, BLife’s shares skyrocketed 393.8 percent, to ¥439,500, and trounced the sector by a jaw-dropping 394.9 points.
Taking third-place honors is Toshihiko Okino of UBS; he is also ranked No. 1 in Housing & Real Estate. Last April the analyst issued a valuation-based downgrade to neutral on Nippon Building Fund, at ¥853,000. By late February the stock had slid 7.7 percent, to ¥787,000.
