The reasons for the growing trend in Asia-Pacific could include the fact that there are many great undervalued companies to invest in, across all sectors and of all sizes. This is especially the case in Japan but it is true across Asia as well. These companies contain many of the classic triggers for investor activism: excess cash, undervalued technology or intellectual property, high unrealised gains on assets or shares, an excess of non-core or non-performing assets and underperforming conglomerates.
The recent surge in activist shareholder activity in Asia-Pacific continues to pressure public companies, boardrooms and senior executives across the region. In the first half of 2025, activist investors launched 40 public campaigns in Asia, continuing the recent trend of elevated activist activity. This makes Asia-Pacific the second most popular region for activist targets behind only North America.
In addition to an increase in the number of activists demanding greater efficiency and better performance, consolidation through mergers and acquisitions, and a renewed focus on shareholder returns, regulatory shifts such as Japan’s evolving merger guidelines are driving both cultural and operational changes at Asia-Pacific corporations. These changes raise the stakes for how corporate leaders, Board members and advisors engage effectively with their stakeholders and communicate their investor narrative amid a volatile market.
