世論 What Japan Thinks

Here’s a quickie but interesting ranking survey from DISMDRIVE Research into if one had the cash to invest, what stocks might one like to buy.

Demographics

Between the 27th of February and 3rd of March 2008 7,345 members of the DIMSDRIVE Research monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire.

Before I go any further, I better make it clear that this is merely a translation of a survey, and I have no direct investments in the companies listed, I am not a professional, please do not make investment decisions based on this article, and other disclaimers…

I’m surprised, but then also not suprised, that JAL rates so highly, as they seem to be on dodgy financial ground, but they are the national carrier, so perhaps symbolism and patriotism outweighs financial due diligence.

It’s also interesting to note that there are few out-and-out technology companies and certainly no internet-focused companies on the list; Nintendo is perhaps the closest, but they sell hardware as much as software, Sony is mostly home electronics, and SoftBank is as much about infrastructure and handset resale as communication. Seven Bank, a new online and offline bank run by the same group that owns the 7-11 convenience store chain is perhaps the most revolutionary company on the list.

Ranking result

Q: If you had the money, which stocks might you most like to buy? (Sample size=7,345, free answer)

Rank	Company	Votes
1	Toyota	398
2	Sony	227
3	Nintendo	220
4	Oriental Land (Disneyland operator)	129
5	All Nippon Airlines (ANA)	76
6	SoftBank	68
7	Aeon (supermarket)	66
8	McDonald’s Japan	64
9=	Japan Airlines (JAL)	60
9=	Matsushita (Panasonic)	60
11	Sharp	59
12	Seven Bank	49
13=	NTT (telephones)	48
13=	Honda	48
15	Starbucks Japan	46

Q: If you had the money, which stocks might you most like to buy? (Sample size=7,345, by sex, free answer)

Rank	Male N=3,414	Votes	Rank	Female N=3,931	Votes
1	Toyota	258	1	Toyota	140
2	Sony	157	2	Oriental Land	90
3	Nintendo	133	3	Nintendo	87
4	SoftBank	48	4	Sony	70
5	Sharp	43	5	Aeon	40
6	Matsushita (Panasonic)	42	6=	All Nippon Airlines (ANA)	39
7=	Oriental Land	39	6=	McDonald’s Japan	39
7=	Japan Airlines (JAL)	39	8=	Kagome (foods)	35
9=	All Nippon Airlines (ANA)	37	8=	Starbucks Japan	35
9=	Seven Bank	37	10	Shiseido (cosmetics)	22

Toyota was top of the pile for every age group bar those in their twenties; men of that age chose Nintendo, the women Oriental Land over the car maker. There were no other significant interesting choices in other groups; the only other sector that featured in more than one age group’s lists was power generation, with Tokyo Electrical Power Company being the choice of a few older people.