Christopher Richter joined CLSA in 2005. He has covered Japanese equities in Tokyo since 1996, first covering construction companies and later autos, which he has followed since 1998. Before becoming an analyst, Chris was a structural engineer in California for eight years, specialising in earthquake engineering. An interest in Japan led him out of engineering and to Cornell University, where he earned an MBA and an MA in Asian studies, and started looking for work in Japanese equities the week of the Kobe earthquake. Chris has been highly ranked in various analyst polls including StarMine, Asiamoney, Greenwich and others.