Activist AVI Poised to Boost Holdings of Japan Small-Cap Shares

Activist Asset Value Investors Ltd. plans to add stakes in Japanese small- and mid-cap companies once it gains more firepower from a planned merger of one of its investment trusts.

The London-based firm will expand its positions in Japanese companies by at least about ¥25 billion ($170 million) shortly after the AVI Japan Opportunity Trust and Fidelity Japan Trust combine, managing director Nicola Takada Wood said in an interview last week. AVI has been increasing its presence in Japan in recent years with successful campaigns including one that led to the ending of a parent-child listing at Toyota Industries Corp. ...