Elon Musk's Tesla Faces Its Apple Moment In India
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an hour ago
- Forbes
Japan's ‘Womenomics' Push Ages Terribly As Economy Struggles
Pedestrians cross a road in Tokyo, Japan. Noriko Hayashi/Bloomberg Sometimes, it's the pressing election issues that no one is talking about that matter most. Especially when the omission is by design — like the role of women in Japan's economy. I'm as bummed as anyone to have to point this out 12-plus years on since the Liberal Democratic Party returned to power pledging to prioritize gender equality. What was it that then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised to do for half of Japan's population? Make them 'shine.' In December 2012, the late Abe propelled the LDP back to power with a bold-sounding revival plan. Never mind that it was merely a list of things Japan should've done years earlier. It's better to be late to cut bureaucracy, modernize labor markets, increase productivity and reanimate Japan's innovative animal spirits than never to act. A key strategy to achieve those last two goals was empowering women. All available research shows that nations and companies that best utilize their female workforces are the most vibrant, efficient and prosperous. Any report from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank or investment banks like Goldman Sachs will attest to that. It's no coincidence that the LDP called their plan 'womenomics.' The word is believed to have been coined by then-Goldman Sachs economist Kathy Matsui, whose gender research made her a local celebrity. Abe cited her work when he pledged to increase the role of women in business and politics. Sadly, though, such talk ended up being a shiny object. In 2012, Japan ranked 101st in the World Economic Forum's gender equality index. Today, it's 118th out of 148 countries, a 17-place backslide. And Sunday's election offers its own metric on the dimming hopes for gender parity in the third-biggest economy. In upper house elections, women make up fewer than 30% of candidates. As Jiji Press reported earlier this month, of the 522 people who initially filed candidacies, just 152 were women, or 29.1%. This is shy of the LDP's 35% target for female lawmakers. In fact, in terms of women holding political office, Japan trails Saudi Arabia by 17 places, according to the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union. Why is Japan failing to make such an obvious fix to its underperforming economy? After all, Goldman Sachs has long argued, Japan's gross domestic product would increase by as much as 15% if the female labor participation matched that of men. One reason for the foot-dragging is that the power with Japan's patriarchy is strong. Economic history knows few examples of those with power giving it up willingly. Typically, change is demanded by the masses in ways the ruling class can't ignore. And virtually no one thinks the LDP, which has led Japan with only two brief interruptions since 1955, is going to lose all power on Sunday. Another problem is that Tokyo establishment is much better at treating the symptoms of a problem than addressing it. Abe was far from the first modern leader to latch onto gender disparities as an election issue. Back in the early 2000s, then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi also made a play for fielding more female candidates. But Abe, like Koizumi before him, mostly prodded the Bank of Japan to cut rates to, or near, zero and leave them there indefinitely. As all that free money boosted the economy, there was less urgency to do the hard work of upending the status quo. Yet the last dozen years have been particularly frustrating. The LDP had broad-based public support to level playing fields and smash glass ceilings. And then it just pivoted to other pursuits, leaving Japan quite the gender-equality outlier in Group of Seven circles. This has also been a lost period of lawmakers appearing to understand that the lack of progress plays a role in so many of Japan's biggest challenges. Take Japan's demographic trajectory, one that worries global debt investors wary of the developed world's biggest debt burden. A key reason Japan's birth rate falls year after year to new record lows is Japan Inc.'s poor track record on work-life-balance policies. This has many women delaying childbirth. Then there's the 'informalization' boom that relegates more and more jobs to 'non-regular' status. These gigs pay less, offer less upward mobility and come with less job security. And the vast majority of them go to women. What does Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba have to say about all this? Not much. How about new ideas to empower half of Japan's 124 million people? Crickets. In fact, one of the most vital repairs Japan needs this election season is among the last things anyone wants to talk about.
Yahoo
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Think It's Too Late to Buy This Leading Tech Stock? Here's the Biggest Reason Why There's Still Time
Key Points Meta Platforms is likely reaching a saturation point in the social media market. Meta's treasure trove of personal data should give it a competitive advantage in the AI space. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Investors may think this is one of the worst times to buy Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) stock. Although it dominates the social media sphere, the fact that more than 40% of the world's population logs onto a Meta-owned site every day may imply limited growth. Its stock price has increased by more than 650% from its lows in October 2022 and recently traded at an all-time high. Despite these gains, Meta may actually be well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory. Here's why it may not be too late to buy this social media company. The continuing case for Meta Platforms stock Meta Platforms is not at a saturation point. Despite its massive 3.4 billion user base, the number of people on its platforms actually grew 6% over the last year in its most recent reported quarter. These users generate more advertising revenue, which increased 16% year over year in Q1. Admittedly, ads make up nearly all of Meta's current revenue, and with the advertising landscape becoming increasingly saturated, growth is likely to slow over time. However, Meta's role in artificial intelligence (AI) will likely breathe additional life into the stock. That is because Meta's users generate a tremendous amount of personal data that Apple or Alphabet may not have the ability to match. This gives it a competitive advantage in terms of training AI models. Additionally, Meta anticipates spending between $64 billion and $72 billion on capital expenditures in 2025 to capitalize on this opportunity and remain competitive in AI. That's an expense it can afford given its $50 billion in free cash flow generated over the last year and its $70 billion in liquidity. Furthermore, investors can buy into this opportunity at a relatively reasonable price. Its 27 P/E ratio is not only below the S&P 500 average of 30, but it is also the second-lowest earnings multiple in the "Magnificent Seven" (Alphabet is lower). That factor gives investors good reason to buy the stock before its AI business takes off in earnest. Don't miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you'll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a 'Double Down' stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you're worried you've already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it's too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you'd have $447,134!* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you'd have $40,090!* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you'd have $652,133!* Right now, we're issuing 'Double Down' alerts for three incredible companies, available when you join , and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.*Stock Advisor returns as of July 14, 2025 Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Will Healy has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Apple, and Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Think It's Too Late to Buy This Leading Tech Stock? Here's the Biggest Reason Why There's Still Time was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
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The best Amazon deals this weekend: Apple AirPods are within $1 of their all-time low
Get this: There's a restaurant in China that's put baby lion cuddles on their menu. And it creates a dilemma, right? You're thinking, Hmmm ... that feels at least vaguely exploitive of those precious little cubs. But you're also thinking, Awww, the babies! Can I have two orders ...with extra cuteness? It's a bit like the predicament of post-Prime Day shoppers: You're thinking, I kinda made a killing last week — do I really need to be shopping now? But you're also thinking, Oh, man, the best Amazon deals of this weekend are just too good to resist!Allergy sufferers: This $40-off deal on a highly rated air purifier is sure nothing to sneeze at. And as long as you've got de-dusting on the agenda, how about a 40% markdown on a Black & Decker hand vacuum? (It's the one I rely on at home, and it's down to a record-low price.) Ready to have your mind blown? Behold: A 24" Fire TV for a mere 60 bucks! This is our kind of weekend bargain blowout. Killer discounts ... and no dilemmas! Best Amazon deals: Rare sales Best Amazon deals: All-time low prices Best Amazon deals: Our best-tested products Best Amazon tech deals Best Amazon deals: Style Best Amazon deals: Home Best Amazon deals: Beauty Best Amazon deals: Kitchen If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
