Why it is said Japanese stock market will never be the same like 80's?
The Japanese stock market of the 1980s was a unique bubble era, and there are several reasons why it is said that Japan's stock market will never be the same as that period:
The 1980s Bubble Was Artificially Inflated
Japan's stock market and real estate saw an extreme asset bubble fueled by easy credit, speculative investments, and loose monetary policy.
The Nikkei 225 index peaked at nearly 39,000 in December 1989, but this was based more on speculation rather than sustainable economic growth.
Corporate & Financial Structural Changes
In the 1980s, Japanese keiretsu (corporate groups) heavily invested in each other’s stocks, artificially inflating prices.
After the crash, corporate governance changed, making stock valuations more realistic and limiting the chances of another speculative surge.
Modern Market Maturity
The stock market is now more stable and driven by real corporate earnings, rather than speculation.
Institutional investors, foreign investors, and better regulations have reduced extreme speculative movements.
Different Monetary Policies
In the 1980s, Japan had low interest rates and aggressive lending, fueling speculation.
Now, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) is more cautious, and while it has used quantitative easing (QE), it has not created a speculative frenzy like in the 1980s.
STRONG MARKET NOT BUBBLE
While the Nikkei 225 recently surpassed its 1989 peak (above 39,000 in 2024), the structure of the economy and stock market has fundamentally changed. Japan is no longer in a bubble-driven, over-leveraged economy but a more stable and mature market. Thus, it is unlikely to see the same extreme conditions as in the 1980s.
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