I aim to enhance shareholder value among select stocks that I own (primarily involving Japanese and North American companies) via dialogue with board directors and/or shareholder proposals.

My current (ongoing) activist investment focus is Internet Initiative Japan (IIJI) (JP: 3774). During IIJ's fiscal year-ended March 31, 2011 (my activism began around the start of the fiscal; I urged the board to consider unlocking shareholder value via a number of means and questioned operational efficiency, as well as corresponded directly with founding chairman and president Suzuki) IIJ raised its dividend 3 times to ¥2,750/share (aggregate increase of 37.5%). In fact, for fiscal 2011 IIJ has issued guidance for a target ...More dividend of ¥3,000/share, representing a total increase of 50% since last fiscal year.

This level of success in Japan is unprecedented, not to mention that it was achieved independently. Beyond IIJ, I have identified significantly undervalued, high-quality companies in Japan. Look for my forthcoming book on the subject of investing in Japan; contact me via email for updates.

In 2008, I was interviewed by The Economist, and mentioned in, “Business in Japan: Criss-cross capitalism,” in regards to cross-shareholding.

Another activist focus of mine is General Electric (GE). More than “unlocking” value, GE is a more immediate case involving preservation of both shareholder value and shareholder rights. That said, a breakup of the conglomerate certainly warrants discussion and another vote by shareholders. I was mentioned in a February 2011 Fortune article, “Grading Jeff Immelt.”

Concurrently, I am a member of the United States Proxy Exchange (USPX), and support its efforts to facilitate shareowner rights. In September/October 2010, we launched a letter writing campaign that resulted in Symantec Corporation reversing its decision to host future virtual-only annual shareowner meetings; instead it will offer a hybrid (live or in-person, and virtual) meeting. I have also submitted, with the USPX, an SEC public comment letter concerning proxy plumbing. Most recently I coauthored the USPX draft guidelines for say-on-pay voting. I am also an “Advocate” at Moxy Vote.

Current employment: Assistant Director of Research at Yale University (Development)

Prior employment: Contributing editor and Japan analyst, Seeking Alpha, with 1,500+ articles published; Economic and commercial development with Japanese diplomats; Research associate at boutique M&A consulting firm (exp. in medical devices; casino/hotel; wireless telecom)

Education: Master's Int'l Mgmt and Finance & B.A. Asian Studies, University of Maryland University College; Level-1 certification (highest) of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.

Website: Active Investing at http://steventowns.com

If you're like GE's deputy GC & trash proxies still worth reading abt my critical dividend proposal at GE! OK'd by SEC. But GE challenging. Jan 24, 2012