The Must Read PSA Weekly Research Round-up (week to 23 Jun)
REPORTS: Isuzu (7202 JT) / INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Significant drop in raw material prices supportive of automakers’ earnings / Japan’s major IT groups outline their generative AI strategies / EV batteries’ provenance matters / Warning signs appear on US auto financing markets / COMPANY INSIGHTS, NEWS, PREVIEWS & RESULTS: Final Fantasy XVI demo very well received / Nintendo Direct excites on Switch, Ubisoft hints on Switch 2 / AMD said to be in talks with Samsung’s foundry division / Rohm / Vitesco tie-up puts spotlight back on Japanese power IC player / Nisshinbo’s communications strategy, including defence / Idemitsu Kosan expands its exposure to clean energy businesss / Panasonic to supply Mazda with batteries / Giga press: opportunities for Toyota and UBE
The Weekly Comment by Lindsay Whipp
ChatGPT has raised renewed fears over the power of AI to do damage to us humans: whether it is taking our jobs or eventually subverting our power to control machines. But in fast-aging and immigration-shy Japan, clinging onto such fear isn’t an option. The only option then is to embrace AI, and this is where companies like ExaWizards (4259 JT) come in, explains Lindsay Whipp.
Reports / Flash Notes Published This Week: Headlines at a Glance
1. Isuzu Motor (7202 JT): Concerns over Competitiveness – Commercial Vehicle Market in Upheaval
Company / Sector / Thematic Comments at a Glance
Technology: Consumer Electronics, Gaming
1. SQE (9684 JT): Final Fantasy XVI Demo Proves Hugely Popular
2. Nintendo Direct Excites on Switch, Ubisoft Hints on Switch 2
3. Panasonic (6752 JT) to Supply Mazda (7261 JT) with Batteries
4. Other Consumer Elec / Gaming News & Moves That Caught Our Eye
Technology: Industrial Electronics / Components / Semis & SPE / Precision
5. Japan’s Major IT Groups Outline Generative AI Strategy
6. AMD Reportedly in Talks with Samsung Foundry Division
7. Vitesco (VTSR GR) Tie-Up a Good Move for Rohm (6963 JT)
8. Other Tech-Related News & Moves That Caught Our Eye
Chemicals / Materials
9. Nisshinbo’s (3105 JT) Communications Strategy, Including Defense
10. Idemitsu Kosan Expands Exposure to Clean Energy Business
11. Giga Press: Opportunities for Toyota (7203 JT) and UBE (4208 JT)
12. Other Chemical / Material-Related News & Moves That Caught Our Eye
Autos
13. Significant Fall in Raw Material Prices Supportive of Automakers’ Earnings
14. Warning Signs Appear on US Auto Financing Markets
15. Personnel Announcements / Changes at Ampere / Nissan (7201 JT)
16. EV Batteries’ Provenance Increasingly Important
17. Other Auto-Related News & Moves That Caught Our Eye
Auto Parts / Machinery
18. US May Housing Starts Strongest Since April 2022
Internet / eCommerce
19. PayPay Reconsiders its Policy
20. Net Protections (7383 JT) and Sony Payment Service Conclude Partner Agreement
21. Other Internet / eCommerce News & Moves That Caught Our Eye
Enterprise Software / IT Services
22. Money Forward (3994 JT) Adds Akita Bank as Partner for SME DX Platform
23. NTT Data (9613 JT) Prepares for Launch of New Holding Company
Miscellaneous / Market / Strategy / Macro
24. Nationwide CPI Preview
25. Japan Inflation – Worse than it Looks?
26. Other News & Moves That Caught Our Eye
PSA Company Visits, Tours and Interviews
Visited: Komatsu (6301 JT), Nabtesco (6268 JT), Daifuku (6383 JT)
Presentations at: Kuraray (3405 JT), Nisshinbo Holdings (3105 JT)
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