[Seminar Report] 348 Participants! "Monex National Investment Seminar in Tokyo" | Seminar/Event Report | Manekuri - Investment Information and Financial Media by Monex Securities

The "National Investment Seminar" is an annual event where instructors from Monex Securities travel across the country to share insights on market trends and more. In the fiscal year 2025, it is scheduled to kick off in Nagoya on May 11, followed by events in six cities including Fukuoka, Sapporo, Hachinohe, Naha, and Osaka. Additionally, this year, a special edition was held in Akihabara, Tokyo. We will report on the events of the day.

Japanese Stocks, US Stocks, and Forex: Insights from Instructors on Current Market Trends

On July 2, 2025, the "Monex Nationwide Investment Seminar in Tokyo" was held at Bellesalle Akihabara. This is the first attempt to hold the "Nationwide Investment Seminar" in Tokyo. Normally, it takes place on a Saturday or Sunday, but this time, due to its inaugural nature, it was held on a weekday evening. A total of 348 people who have opened accounts with Monex Securities attended the event.

Filming from the middle of the venue. A line formed at the reception before the opening time, and the front seats were quickly filled, with many customers also in the back seats.

I will hand over the materials placed in the bag with the Monex logo at the reception.

Opening remarks

Yuko Kiyome, President and Executive Officer of Monex Securities Inc. The event started at 6:30 PM with an opening greeting by President and Executive Officer Seimei Yuko.

"We were all anxious about how many customers would gather today, but we are truly pleased to see so many of you here. Since the beginning of this year, there have been various events, and the situation remains uncertain. Our instructors from Monex Securities will share insights on how to view the market moving forward. We hope that after today's seminar, you will feel you have gained some useful tips, so please enjoy the session until the end."

Part 1: Japanese Stocks

Monex Securities Chief Strategist Takashi Hiroki The first presentation was given by Takashi Hiroki, the Chief Strategist, who spoke about the outlook for Japanese stocks. "I will speak today without trying to make anyone laugh," he declared, and began discussing the differences in each speaker's portfolio, as the topic of a panel discussion that took place after the recent Monex Securities shareholders' meeting. He explained the reasons for having a zero percentage of U.S. stocks in his own portfolio, the current situation in the U.S., the Chinese economy, the outlook for the Nikkei average, and the logic behind it, the successive administrations since the Democratic Party's Noda administration, and the upcoming House of Councillors election. As the discussion progressed to favored stocks, the 45-minute time limit was reached. "We will continue this conversation somewhere else," he concluded.

List of Takashi Hiroki's Reports

Part 2: US Stocks

Heihachiro Okamoto, Chief Foreign Stock Consultant at Monex Securities, Inc. and Senior Fellow at Monex University Next, Chief Foreign Stock Consultant and Senior Fellow at Monex University, Hiyachiro Okamoto, will explain about "U.S. stocks." The presentation is structured in three parts: the outlook for the U.S. market in the second half of 2025, the market size of the U.S., and how to approach investing in U.S. stocks. Comparing it to the previous internet boom, he stated, "The theme that will drive the market from now on is definitely AI. The current AI boom has just begun," while wearing AI-enabled glasses "Ray-Ban Meta," passionately discussing the impact of AI-related technologies on future lifestyles. He also spoke about how products and services from U.S. companies have integrated into our lives and mentioned stocks he is paying attention to.

List of Reports by Okamoto Heihachiro

Part 3: Exchange

Monex Securities Co., Ltd. Chief FX Consultant and Monex University FX President Yoshida Kō After the break, a lecture on "Foreign Exchange" was given by Chief FX Consultant and Monex University FX President, Yoshida Hisashi. The seemingly irrational movements of the USD/JPY and the Japan-US interest rate differential following the appointment of Treasury Secretary Bessent actually operate based on another form of rationality. Drawing from words said by government officials during his time as a young financial journalist known as "Blue Lightning" running around Kasumigaseki and Kabutocho, he unpacked the expressions in the Bessent comments from the U.S. Treasury's Foreign Exchange Report and explained the "political market not seen in 30 years." He discussed future prospects.

List of Yoshida Tsune's Reports

Trump tariffs, geopolitical risks... Instructors answer questions from attendees.

Q&A Corner

In the Q&A corner, the instructors are all gathered. And now, the final program of the day, the Q&A session, begins. The instructors answered questions submitted by attendees, providing explanations from the perspective of their respective fields of expertise.

Here are some of the questions that have been received.

・What will happen regarding President Trump's mutual tariff suspension for 90 days?

How should we think about investing when geopolitical risks arise, such as the situation in the Middle East?

I don't think the interest rate differential between the US dollar and the euro will narrow if the US cannot lower interest rates, but will the euro aim even higher?

・U.S. interest rates are trending towards cuts, while Japan's interest rates are moving in the opposite direction towards increases. What is the outlook for future interest rates? Additionally, what impact will these changes in U.S. and Japanese interest rates have on foreign exchange, U.S. stocks, Japanese stocks, bonds, and real estate?

・There is market uncertainty, and the gold market is rising like never before. Could it suddenly crash? If so, what factors could be considered?

It feels like funds are returning to semiconductor-related areas, can we consider this a resurgence?

How can one actually become a "Yokuribito"?

Monex Group Global Ambassador Jesper Kull

Monex Securities Investment Strategies and Monex University Senior Fellow Norihiro Tsukamoto

Freelance announcer Hiroko Ohashi

Closing remarks

Monex Securities Founder, Daijiro Matsumoto At the end of the seminar, there was a closing address by the founder of Monex Securities, Hiroshi Matsumoto.

"The market is often said to be difficult. However, what I think is that among all the various things in the world, those who study more about investing can achieve better results. The market and investing, in a sense, lack personality. Many people participate, a lot of data is available, and on the other side, there are people making opposing trades. If you take better actions than others, you will get good results. Therefore, I believe from experience that effort in investing returns results. We provide various information, ideas, and products to be useful to you, and we will accompany you as partners, so I hope you have a good investment life."

After the seminar, the instructors bid farewell to the attendees in the lobby. The "Monex National Investment Seminar in Tokyo" concluded successfully.

How did the attendees feel? Voices gathered from the survey

Here are some comments from the surveys submitted by attendees.

It was wonderful. The content that unraveled the market from politics and world affairs, drawn from the instructor's many years of experience and knowledge, was impressive.

・Your reviews were easy to understand and very helpful. The explanations of the background and rationale of the numbers were convincing and made me want to refer to them, and I became interested in other investments as well. I became a fan of Hiroki, Okamoto, and Yoshida. Thank you very much.

・It was very helpful that the instructors were able to present their arguments without being caught up in differences of opinion.

・Although opinions on Trump differ, Mr. Hiroki's assessment was helpful.

I always watch Monex Securities' YouTube. Today's topic was even more interesting.

I believe that having in-person seminars is a good aspect of Monex. I hope they continue in the future. I also think that information available only in person has a sense of rarity and is good.

If you are investing and have questions or concerns, please come to the "National Investment Seminar" near you.