Japan Tackles Creative Fatigue While U.S. Investors Shift Tech Investments Due to AI Market Fluctuations

The Japanese government has introduced fresh initiatives to tackle excessive working hours within the creative industries, while high-profile investors in the United States have been actively rebalancing their holdings, illustrating differing strategies for economic stability in 2025.

Kimi Onoda, the minister responsible for Japan’s cultural exports, has vowed to enhance labor conditions for those in creative fields as part of the "Cool Japan" initiative, a cornerstone of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s economic policy. In an interview with

, Onoda stressed the importance of addressing "passion exploitation," a phenomenon where creators are compelled to work long hours out of devotion to their work. The administration intends to publish findings from an industry survey and formulate new guidelines to resolve antitrust issues in the film and animation sectors. With , the government’s goal is to boost that number to ¥20 trillion by 2033, establishing creative industries as a major driver of economic growth.

. At the same time, American hedge funds and institutional investors made notable changes to their portfolios during the third quarter of 2025. Coatue Management, led by Philippe Laffont, to 6.72 million shares, increased its position in (AMAT) by 3.34 million shares, and decreased its investment in (AMZN). Meanwhile, Stanley Druckenmiller’s Duquesne Family Office, known for its technology investments, but fully divested from Microsoft (MSFT) and Eli Lilly (LLY). These portfolio shifts highlight evolving priorities in the tech industry amid ongoing concerns about volatility driven by artificial intelligence.

Philip Morris International (PM), a major tobacco company, experienced varied investor responses. Coatue completely sold its 1.29 million-share stake, while

and purchased shares of Philip Morris. Market analysts observed that the company’s recent quarterly earnings of $1.59 per share and a 3.8% dividend yield attracted institutional interest, even as some funds withdrew. Nonetheless, Philip Morris’s negative return on equity of 122.14% and a high payout ratio of 106.52% point to persistent risks in the industry.

The contrast in investment tactics reflects broader economic patterns. Japan’s efforts to safeguard creative professionals are in step with global moves to combat burnout, while U.S. investors are navigating a landscape where AI and pharmaceuticals remain contentious. As Ishiba’s administration schedules a policy meeting for 3 a.m.—a decision criticized for contradicting its stance against overwork—investors are gravitating toward sectors seen as less vulnerable to regulatory changes.