Analyst: Axa Framlington

She also says the distance gets her exclusive and preferential meetings with key corporate personnel, not least when they visit their European investors (or potential investors). Even in Tokyo, she says, similar physical barriers would exist because many smaller firms are based in cheaper, out-of-the-way locations.

“It’s about being proactive,” she says. “With larger companies, it’s impossible I know something about Toyota Motors no-one else knows. With smaller companies – under-researched, uncovered stocks - that’s happening all the time.”