In this article, we will look at the 11 Best Japanese Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Japanese equities have held steady amid heightened volatility in global markets. The country’s main equity index, the Nikkei 225, has gained 15% year to date, dwarfing the 4% gain for the S&P 500. The impressive market run comes on the heels of strong corporate earnings that have helped shrug off the volatility of technology stocks.
Strong corporate governance and the reduction of investment units, driven by enhanced shareholder returns, are also supporting the strong market performance. Japan’s central bank, keeping the interest rate steady at 0.75% amid concerns about soaring inflation, is also offering the much-needed support amid the Iran conflict, which threatens to trigger supply-side risks.
“The rise in crude oil prices is expected to push up prices, mainly of energy and goods, with moves to pass on wage increases to selling prices continuing,” BOJ said.
Japanese stocks continue to outperform global equities even after the Bank of Japan cut its growth forecast for the year to 0.5% from 1%. The central bank also raised its core inflation outlook to 2.8% from 1.9%, warning that economic growth is likely to decelerate amid a spike in crude oil prices. The economy narrowly avoided recession in Q4 2025, growing 0.3% quarter on quarter and 1.3% year on year.
Amid the resilient economy, price action in the equity market shows an increasingly strong bullish trend in Japanese stocks. The market has already powered to record highs on net long exposure to Nikkei futures, rising to 2-year highs. Asset managers have also increased their net long exposure on Japanese equities to 20-week highs. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best Japanese stocks to buy right now.
Our Methodology
To compile our list of the best Japanese stocks to buy right now, we used stock screeners from Finviz and Yahoo Finance to find the largest Japanese companies. Next, we focused on the stocks favored by institutional investors. Data for the hedge fund sentiment surrounding each stock was taken from Insider Monkey’s database. Finally, we ranked the stocks in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds holding stakes in them in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research shows we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).
Best Japanese Stocks to Buy Right Now
11. TOYO Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ:TOYO)
Market Capitalization: $425.17 Million
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 2
TOYO Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ:TOYO) is one of the best Japanese stocks to buy right now. On April 14, H.C Wainwright reiterated a Buy rating on Toyo Co. (NASDAQ:TOYO) and an $18 price target. The bullish stance is in response to the company delivering impressive second-half and full-year 2025 results.
Full-year revenue totaled $427.4 million, above the upper end of the previously announced guidance range of $375–$400 million and up 142% compared to 2024. The company achieved EBITDA of $95.8 million, driven by operational efficiencies and a strategic shift towards higher-margin, tariff-compliant supply chains. Adjusted net income rose 769% to $52.2 million.
The better-than-expected results were underpinned by the ramp-up of the 4GW cell facility, which is now operating at full capacity. Toyo has positioned itself to capitalize on solar energy, driving a majority of the new US electric demand. The company expects its solar cell shipments in 2026 to reach 5.5-5.8 GW for the full year, attributed to strong demand. Solar module shipments are expected to reach approximately 1-1.3GW with adjusted net income of between $90 million and $100 million.
TOYO Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ:TOYO) is a rapidly growing, vertically integrated solar energy company that develops, produces, and sells high-efficiency solar cells and modules. The company manages the full supply chain from silicon to photovoltaic (PV) modules, with a focus on manufacturing and supplying solar solutions to the U.S. market.
10. PicoCELA Inc. (NASDAQ:PCLA)
Market Capitalization: $18.65 Million
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 2
PicoCELA Inc. (NASDAQ:PCLA) is one of the best Japanese stocks to buy right now. On April 24 at the WiFi World Congress USA 2026, PicoCELA Inc. (NASDAQ:PCLA) redefined enterprise connectivity with the launch of its proprietary wireless mesh technology.
The company showcased its hardware lineup, which includes the PCWL-0501 (indoor model) and the PCWL-0510 (outdoor high-end model). With the hardware, the company has demonstrated how its technology can overcome the limitations of conventional wireless standards to address global challenges in communication infrastructure.
The fact that the hardware covers both indoor and outdoor use cases asserts that the wireless mesh technology is seamless and scalable regardless of the setting. In addition, it is highly compatible with existing infrastructure, making it easier for current users to integrate the latest advancements while maintaining scalable operations. PicoCELA seeks to create a sustainable communication infrastructure alongside its global partners with the new Wi-Fi technology.
PicoCELA Inc. (NASDAQ:PCLA) is a Japan-based technology company specializing in the development, manufacturing, and installation of high-performance enterprise wireless mesh solutions. Utilizing their patented PicoCELA Backhaul Engine (PBE), they provide stable, multi-hop wireless LAN access points (PCWL series) that eliminate the need for extensive cabling, reducing network complexity and costs.
9. ORIX Corporation (NYSE:IX)
Market Capitalization: $35.84 Billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 5
Orix Corporation (NYSE:IX) is one of the best Japanese stocks to buy right now. On April 14, Orix Corporation (NYSE:IX) reached an agreement to transfer all its equity interest in IX NTI Holdings LLC. The company is to transfer the equity interest to NTI Buyer LLC, a special-purpose company tied to Olympus Partners.
Orix Corporation’s private equity arm, Orix Capital Partners, acquired IX NTI Holdings in 2018. The unit has been offering network deployment solutions in data centers, fiber optics, and wireless services across the US. The unit generated $284.5 million in revenue and a net loss of $38 million for the fiscal year ended December 2024.
On the other hand, the Orix Corporation board has approved an absorption-type agreement involving Tsukuba Lease Corporation, a consolidated subsidiary. Consequently, Orix Corporation and its subsidiary, Orix Auto Corporation, are to absorb the business operations of Tsukuba Lease, after which the unit is to be dissolved and liquidated. There will be no changes to Orix Capital as part of the split.
ORIX Corporation (NYSE:IX) is a diversified Japanese financial services conglomerate operating globally across 10 core business segments. It specializes in leasing, corporate finance, investment, life insurance, real estate development, asset management, and renewable energy.
8. Nomura Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:NMR)
Market Capitalization: $22.06 Billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 14
Nomura Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NMR) is one of the best Japanese stocks to buy right now. On April 24, Nomura Holdings Inc. (NYSE:NMR) delivered impressive fourth-quarter and full-year results for the year ended March. Profitability improved as the operating platform strengthened and transformation initiatives continued to yield results.
Net revenue in the fourth quarter was up 27% year over year to $3.6 billion as full-year revenue increased 15% to $13.6 billion. Net income attributable to shareholders totaled $465 million in the fourth quarter and $3.4 billion for the full year. The impressive financial results came on the heels of the Wealth Management segment having its best performance since inception in 2002.
Recurring revenue in Wealth Management reached an all-time high, driven by continued net inflows into recurring revenue assets. Assets under management in Investment Management rose to 136.9 trillion yen, driven by market factors and continued net inflows. Nomura has reiterated its focus on pursuing new growth opportunities and expanding its business while enhancing corporate value.
Nomura Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:NMR) is a Japan-based global financial services group providing comprehensive investment, banking, and wealth management services. It connects East and West markets to serve individuals, institutions, and governments.
7. Honda Motor Co Ltd (NYSE:HMC)
Market Capitalization: $31.14 Billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 18
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE:HMC) is one of the best Japanese stocks to buy right now. On April 17, Reuters reported that Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (NYSE:HMC) plans to shut down one of its joint venture plants in China before the year’s end.
Consequently, the Japanese automaker is to halt operations at one of its gasoline-powered plants with Guangzhou Automobile Group. It also plans to halt operations at a second plant operated in partnership with Dongfeng Motor next year.
The shutdown comes as the company moves to slash petrol car production. The change of tack comes as Honda remains under pressure in China, where domestic electric vehicle companies are increasingly gaining market share.
A shutdown of one plant would halve Honda’s petrol car capacity in China to about 480,000 units annually from 960,000 Units. The restructuring is also expected to result in costs of up to $15.7 billion as the automaker also pivots towards electric vehicles in response to a sharp decline in sales in China.
The Japanese automaker has already commenced sales of the all-new Honda Insight electric vehicle in Japan. The fourth-generation EV represents Honda’s transition from the model’s hybrid origins to a fully electric crossover SUV.
Honda Motor Co Ltd (NYSE:HMC) is a global mobility leader that designs, manufactures, and sells automobiles, motorcycles, power equipment, and aircraft. Known for engineering excellence, Honda is a major producer of engines, offering products like cars, ATVs, generators, lawnmowers, and marine engines.
6. Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG)
Market Capitalization: $102.66 Billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 18
Mizuho Financial Group Inc. (NYSE:MFG) is one of the best Japanese stocks to buy right now. On April 1, Mizuho Financial Group Inc. (NYSE:MFG)’s units, Mizuho Bank and Mizuho Research & Technologies Ltd., completed their planned merger and business integration.
Following the merger, Mizuho Bank is the surviving company expected to bring together personnel with a diverse range of expertise from banking to research consulting, and technological development. With the personnel working together, Mizuho Bank is to extend its strength into new capabilities and better take on imposing challenges.
Mizuho Bank plans to set up a research center for information mathematics and engineering following the merger. The ultimate goal is to unlock technology’s potential for finance and to address various social and economic issues.
On the other hand, Mizuho has also moved to modernize its infrastructure by leveraging Oracle Autonomous AI Database on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). By migrating to Oracle Autonomous AI Database, Mizuho Bank hopes to reduce operational overhead, optimize costs, and strengthen security.
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG) is a major Japanese financial institution providing global banking, securities, and investment services. It offers corporate financing, asset management, and trading services to corporate and institutional clients across Japan, Asia Pacific, the Americas, and EMEA. The firm operates through subsidiaries, including Mizuho Bank and Mizuho Securities.
While we acknowledge the potential of MFG to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MFG and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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