Activist Funds Are Poised to Step Up Japan Campaigns in 2024 (1)

If last year was any guide, 2024 is going to be another busy one for activist investors seeking to shake up corporate Japan.

Spurred by government and institutional pressure at companies to improve corporate governance and boost valuations, activist investors are pursuing more difficult and high-profile investments. Shareholder proposals, which also hit a peak last year, will probably reach a record when annual meetings roll around this summer.

“We are only at the beginning of a period of more pronounced activity,” said Peter Guenthardt, head of Asia-Pacific investment banking at Bank of America Corp. Activist investors “are back with ...