Japan’s investors raise bets on Kono

Potential leader: Kono is known as a critic of nuclear power and investors expect him to promote a further shift to renewable energy. — AP

TOKYO: Japan’s stock investors have raised bets Taro Kono will become the country’s next prime minister, snatching up renewable energy and office technology shares that are expected to benefit under his economic policies.

At the same time, investors are now trimming holdings of some medical service shares that had previously benefited on now fading expectations former foreign minister Fumio Kishida, an advocate of spending in that sector, could succeed outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.