Baillie Gifford Japan (ticker: BGFD) was launched in 1981 and experienced incredible growth during its first decade thanks to the 'Japanese economic miracle' with its share price rising almost tenfold. As most investors will know, Japanese equities have struggled ever since. But under the leadership of Sarah Whitley, Baillie Gifford Japan significantly outperformed its benchmark. From her 1991 appointment as lead manager to her retirement in 2018, the trust returned 545% in sterling terms compared to the Japanese market's 156%. Matthew Brett, who served as Whitley's deputy, took over the lead ...