Corporate transformation, AI could drive Japan equities Last month, BofA Global Research hosted its annual Japan conference. Over 500 investors joined, and attendance was up 2% versus the prior year. Japan equities rallied sharply through July, but then a rate hike from the BoJ and a stronger Yen disrupted the upward momentum. Daisuke Takato suggests there was more evidence of positive change at the conference. He reiterates Japan Equity Strategist Masashi Akutsu view that 2025 will be another leg higher in Japan's equity story as inflation helps drive higher wages, efficiencies and corporate transformation. Semiconductors could help Japan equity returns as Mikio Hirakawa believes Japan's semicap test equipment have and will benefit from AI-related demand for GPUs and memory.   You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.   "Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2024 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.