FinCity.tokyo

FinCity.Tokyo held special sessions to showcase the attractiveness of the Japanese market at iConnections Global Alts Miami 2026, one of the world’s largest alternative investment forums, on February 24 and 25, 2026.

Amid surging international interest in Japan, we hosted both a panel session and an invitation-only roundtable, powerfully communicating the momentum of the Japanese financial market to a global audience of investors.

[February 24] Japan Session: “The New Japan Playbook: From Fundraising to Footprint in Tokyo”

The panel session held on the 24th drew a near-capacity crowd of approximately 150 investors, reflecting the high level of interest in the region.

Capital Market Transformation: Mr. Yamashita introduced the “Value Up Program,” which encourages sustainable corporate growth, and predicted that 2026 would be the “Year of Alpha” for the Japanese market. He also highlighted the activation of the market driven by the promotion of individual investor participation through the new NISA system.

Shifts in Institutional Investing: Mr. Kiguchi explained how Japanese institutional investors are moving away from their traditionally conservative stance. Against the backdrop of inflation and government policies, he described a shift toward a more sophisticated approach—pursuing higher returns with rational risk—and noted that this represents a significant entry opportunity for overseas financial institutions.

Speakers:

• Mr. Yoshi Kiguchi, CIO, Pension Fund of Japanese Corporations
• Mr. Haruyuki Yamashita, Deputy Chief Representative, New York Representative Office, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Inc.

Moderator:

Ms. Yoshiko Yamaguchi, Senior Advisor, FinCity.Tokyo

Archive Video:

https://youtu.be/P_SXvt7ONQM?si=yJiql9r3OEgw1RW5

[February 25] Private Breakout Session: “Japan Insider” Roundtable, Sponsored by FinCity.Tokyo

On the following day, February 25, we hosted an invitation-only roundtable, the “Japan Insider” Town Hall. We engaged in deep, practical discussions with approximately 20 key allocators and managers.

Fundamental Transformation of Corporate Governance: Mr. David Semaya pointed out that Japanese governance has changed fundamentally over the past seven years. He forecasted that favorable investment opportunities would continue for the next five to seven years.

Engagement with Substance: Mr. Yamashita discussed the current transition from “formal compliance” to a phase of “substantive change,” emphasizing that constructive dialogue (engagement) with companies is the most effective way to discover alpha.

Importance of Local Presence: Mr. Mae explained the current environment where Japanese pension funds are seeking higher returns. He advised that for the selection of external managers, establishing a Tokyo office or providing native-language support offers a significant advantage in building trust with local gatekeepers and investors.

Speakers:

• Mr. David Semaya, Executive Chairman, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management Co., Ltd. (FinCity.Tokyo Ambassador)

• Mr. Haruyuki Yamashita, Deputy Chief Representative, New York Representative Office, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Inc.

• Mr. Tomohiko Mae, Investment Research Analyst, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited

Moderator:

• Ms. Yoshiko Yamaguchi, Senior Advisor, FinCity.Tokyo