320: Money Makers Investment Trusts Podcast - with Nicholas Weindling (21 Feb 2026)

Japan's dramatic election: what it means for investors. In this edition of the Money Makers Investment Trust Podcast, Nicholas Wiendling, manager of J.P. Morgan Japanese (JFJ), discusses the landslide electoral win of Sanae Takaichi, the future of corporate governance reform and investment opportunities in the Japanese market, with Jonathan Davis, editor of the Investment Trusts Handbook (winner of the AIC Best Broadcast Journalist Award 2024 and 2025). This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 17 February 2026. For those of you who follow Money Makers on social media, two new channels are now available - TikTok (@moneymakers_its) and Bluesky (@money-makers.co). Do give us a follow! Jonathan is also now writing market and other comments on Substack (jdinvestor.substack.com).  Section Timestamps: 0:00:24 - Introduction 0:01:06 - Reacting to the election result in Japan 0:06:01 - Japan’s relationship with the US 0:07:25 - The Japanese bond market 0:09:05 - Corporate governance changes 0:13:33 - The yen 0:17:25 - A short break 0:18:28 - The Japanese corporate sector 0:20:47 - Performance of the Japanese investment trusts 0:23:15 - Style factors 0:26:37 - The sustainability of returns 0:27:41 - The portfolio and gearing 0:32:22 - Significant risks 0:33:52 - Close If you enjoy the weekly podcast, why not also try the Money Makers Circle? This is a membership scheme that offers listeners to the podcast an opportunity, in return for a modest monthly or annual subscription, to receive additional premium content, including interviews, performance data, links to third party research, market/portfolio reviews and regular comments from the editor. A subscription costs £12 a month or £120 for one year. This week, as well as the usual features, the Circle features a profile of Geiger Counter (GCL). Future profiles include CT Global Managed Portfolio (CMPI/CMPG) and BlackRock American Income (BRAI). Our new expanded weekly subscriber email includes a comprehensive summary of all the latest news plus the week's biggest share price, NAV and discount movements. Subscribe and you will never miss any important developments from the sector. For more information please visit https://money-makers.co/circle. Membership helps to cover the cost of producing the weekly investment trust podcast, which will continue to be free for the foreseeable future. We are very grateful for your continued support and the enthusiastic response to our 320 podcasts since launch. *** OUT NOW: The 2026 Investment Trusts Handbook *** Available to order from Harriman House: https://harriman-house.com/authors/jonathan-davis/the-investment-trusts-handbook-2026/9781804094358 The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is the ninth edition of the highly regarded annual handbook for anyone interested in investment trusts – often referred to as the City’s best-kept secret, or the connoisseur’s choice among investment funds. It is expertly edited by well-known author and professional investor Jonathan Davis, founder and editor of the Money Makers newsletter and podcast. The Investment Trusts Handbook 2026 is an independent educational publication, available through bookshops and extensively online. With articles by 30 different authors, including analysts, fund managers and investment writers, plus more than 80 pages of detailed data and analysis, the latest edition is an indispensable companion for anyone looking to invest in the investment trust sector. *** You can find more information, including relevant disclosures, at www.money-makers.co. Please note that this podcast is provided for educational purposes only and nothing you hear should be considered as investment advice. Our podcasts are also available on the Association of Investment Companies website, www.theaic.co.uk. Produced by Ben Gamblin - www.bgprofessional.co.uk