S tock markets around the world are really beginning to feel the effects of the financial crisis of 2008, with some industry watchers estimating that as much as $30 trillion of total market capitalization has been lost worldwide since 2007. This is hurting investors everywhere, big and small.
With these staggering losses in the background, a look at some of the smaller investors on a country-by-country basis reveals a few surprises.
Japan, as described years ago by the well-known Dutch social scientist Geert Hofstede, has a reputation for being a risk-averse society. Japanese believe that wealth is best earned through the sweat of one's brow, not by playing the market.