Daiwa Securities Group Inc., Japan's second-largest brokerage, is actively restarting the hiring of merger advisory staff overseas and increasing its team of cross-border deal specialists. This strategic move, announced by CEO Akihiko Ogino, is part of an expansion of its mergers and acquisitions business. The company aims to capitalize on a domestic dealmaking boom and improve its international presence and standing. This focus on M&A is a clear indicator of Daiwa's ambition to enhance its global footprint.
Separately, financial entities in Japan, including Daiwa Asset Management and Asset Management One (AMO), the asset management arm of Mizuho Financial Group, are increasingly pursuing global investor mandates, particularly in yen bonds. AMO, partly owned by Daiichi Life, recently secured its first mandate from a Western institutional investor for a yen bond fund launched in February, its first in approximately 30 years. Over the past two years, AMO has restructured its global sales division to strengthen its yen bond offerings in response to growing demand for yen-denominated debt from overseas.
Daiwa is also making strategic investments abroad. For instance, it is reportedly acquiring a minority stake in an Indian wealth management firm. This move is seen as a key strategic play that could significantly impact the wealth management landscape in India. Furthermore, Daiwa Asset Management Co. Ltd., established in December 1959, has 80% ownership by Daiwa Securities Group, Inc. and 20% by JAPAN POST INSURANCE Co., Ltd., indicating a robust corporate structure supporting these global expansion efforts. These initiatives collectively underscore Daiwa's multifaceted approach to boosting its global status and capitalising on various financial opportunities.
