Kathy Matsui Quotations

We believe that Japan's premium (price-to-earnings) multiple is justified given the lower level of interest rates and higher earnings momentum we expect.

I thought there might be more of a rise, but I'm not surprised (the Nikkei) ended lower. Domestic concerns are outweighing the external factors right now.

Japanese equities remain attractive relative to other developed markets.

Out of economic necessity or as a result of lifestyle choices, an increasing portion of Japanese women are actively participating in the workforce and becoming a very important source of income and consumption growth.

Our new fiscal year 2007 profit forecasts call for a fifth consecutive year of double-digit profit growth, driven by solid top-line growth as well as labor cost reductions.

While much more progress still needs to be made at both the public and private sector levels to foster greater female labor participation, we believe Japan is finally moving in the right direction.

We would argue Japan is still attractive even though its PE is high because of the growth rate of the E.

As long as there's continued jitters in Nasdaq, we'll have to wait to see what happens.

If the primary cause of rising interest rates is growing demand for capital, then this should be regarded as a 'good' rate rise.