TOKYO, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. (Nikko AM), a leading Japan-based asset management company, announced today the U.S. release of "Country Pick", a money management game. This follows the release of the game in Japan.

http://sekaino.toshinou.jp/

Nikko AM developed "Country Pick" to allow participants the experience of managing money. Participants are allotted a virtual amount of $10 million (in the U.S. version), and they build a portfolio by selecting from an investment universe of 31 countries and regions. After setting an investment weighting for each selected country, participants compete based on their portfolios' performance. The competition starts in January 2010 and takes place over a full year. There is no cost to participate in this contest.

Participants do not invest in individual stocks. They need only to pick the country or region they wish to invest in from the investment universe. These countries and regions actually represent virtual index funds linked to the stock market of each. "Country Pick" therefore also offers participants the opportunity to experience investing through global asset allocation.

There has so far been a high level of interest in Japan, where "Country Pick" has already received over 3,000 entries since October 20. Top overall performers may be offered an interview by Nikko AM for the position of Product Development Advisor. So Nikko AM encourages U.S. residents to participate in "Country Pick" and test their money management skills.

Note: Participation limited to the residents of the United States in the U.S. version. Void where prohibited.

About Nikko AM:

Nikko AM is a leading Japan-based asset management group. Since its establishment 50 years ago, Nikko AM has been offering a full lineup of investment trusts to retail investors and high value-added advisory services to institutional investors.

The Nikko AM Group (*1) has approximately 9.9 trillion yen under management as of September 30, 2009 (*2), and has overseas offices in London, New York, and Singapore.

Note 1: "Nikko AM Group" stands for Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. and its group companies.

Note 2: Consolidated assets (including advised assets) of Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. and its overseas subsidiaries.

Contact:
Murooka / Tsuboi
Corporate Communications Department
Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Phone: +81-3-6447-6426
FAX: +81-3-6447-6813
e-mail: corpcom@nikkoam.com
http://www.nikkoam.com/files/lists/release/091209_01.html

SOURCE Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd.

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