Assets invested in exchange traded funds and exchange traded products listed in Japan have increased by 26.7% from US$173.30 billion to reach a new record of US$219.60 billion in the first half of 2017.

That’s according to ETFGI’s June 2017 Japanese ETF and ETP industry insights report, an annual paid for research subscription service.

ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm on trends in the global ETF/ETP ecosystem, said at the end of June 2017, the Japanese ETF/ETP industry had 188 ETFs/ETPs, with 233 listings, assets of US$220 billion, from 21 providers listed on two exchanges.

Deborah Fuhr, managing partner at ETFGI, said equity markets have performed well in the first half of 2017.

“The S&P 500 gained 9.34%, international equity markets outside the U.S. were up 14.27% and emerging markets were up 16.69%,” Fuhr said. “Political risks remain a focus for investors – the ability of the Trump administration to move forward on policy goals and hearings on Capitol Hill, Brexit negotiations, and North Korea is still an area of concern.”

ETFs and ETPs listed in Japan gathered net inflows of US$2.19 billion in June. Year to date, net inflows stand at a record level of  US$28.56 billion which is significantly ahead of the US$16.50 billion at this point last year.

Equity ETFs/ETPs gathered net inflows of US$2.61 billion in June, bringing year to date net inflows to record level of US$30.07 billion, which is greater than the net inflows of US$14.20 billion over the same period last year.

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Fixed income ETFs and ETPs experienced net outflows of US$1 million in June, reducing year to date net inflows to US$28 millionn, which is less than the same period last year which saw net inflows of US$41 million.

Commodity ETFs/ETPs accumulated net inflows of US$87 million in June. Year to date, net inflows are at US$70 million, which is greater than the net inflows of US$21 million over the same period last year.

Nomura AM gathered the largest net ETF/ETP inflows in June with US$2.03 billion, followed by Nikko AM with US$1.01 billion and Daiwa with US$245 million net inflows.

YTD, Nomura AM gathered the largest net ETF/ETP inflows with US$12.45 billion, followed by Nikko AM with US$7.87 billion and Daiwa with US$5.85 billion net inflows.

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