Citigroup Inc has announced the appointment of Akira Kiyota, a seasoned investment banker formerly with Nomura Holdings Inc, and Taiji Nagasaka, a long-standing insider, as co-heads of investment banking for Japan. The appointments will take effect from 1 October.
The dual leadership move highlights the US bank’s strategic intent to deepen its footprint in Japan, as international financial institutions seek to capitalise on a resurgence in mergers and acquisitions and a more favourable interest rate environment that is fuelling corporate deal-making.
Kiyota brings over 20 years of experience from Nomura, Japan’s largest investment bank and brokerage, where he most recently served as senior managing director and global head of mergers and acquisitions. His appointment reflects Citigroup’s aim to strengthen its M&A advisory capabilities in a market showing significant momentum.
Nagasaka, who currently serves as Citigroup’s Japan head of investment banking products and equity capital markets, will step into the co-head role alongside Kiyota, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to developing internal talent for leadership roles in key growth markets.
In conjunction with these changes, Masuo Fukuda will take on an expanded mandate as vice chair for Japan and Asia North investment banking. He will retain his existing responsibilities as vice chair of Citi Japan.
The appointments come amid renewed corporate activity in Japan. According to consultancy Bain & Company, Japan accounted for 30 per cent of all private equity deal value in the Asia-Pacific region last year, making it the region’s largest market for such transactions. Historically, Japan represented just 5 to 10 per cent of the region’s private equity deal value, underscoring the scale of the shift.
This hiring strategy by Citigroup aligns with broader moves among global investment banks to boost senior presence in Tokyo, positioning themselves to capture new business opportunities in the world’s fourth-largest economy.
-Reuters
