Point72 Asset Management intends to increase both its headcount and capital committed to Japan over the coming years, as changing market conditions create new openings for investors, reported Bloomberg citing its country head.
In an interview, US hedge fund’s Japan head Shinji Ogawa said: “More companies in Japan are likely to reevaluate their capital allocation and redirect funds toward growth investments” following corporate governance reforms.
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“There are very attractive investment opportunities.”
Ogawa said the firm is hiring in disciplines such as fundamental research, macro strategy and quantitative analysis.
“There are still many sectors we don’t yet cover” in equities for example, he said.
He said competition for staff is “extremely fierce”, prompting the firm to step up employee development.
According to Ogawa, the Tokyo office has added an internal trainer and a recruiter focused on its graduate training programme.
Point72, founded by billionaire Steve Cohen, managed $58.5bn as of July and established its Japan office in 2011.
Ogawa, whose previous roles included positions at JPMorgan Chase & Co., became head of Japan in November.
At the same time, uncertainty surrounding monetary policy in Japan and the US is contributing to activity in bond and foreign exchange markets.
This environment is sharpening competition for employees as international hedge funds look to build up their presence in Japan, noted the news agency.
Brevan Howard Asset Management, based in the UK, plans to launch a Japan office this year, while Marshall Wace is targeting 2027 for its own opening.
ExodusPoint Capital Management is also adding staff across its three Asian offices, including Tokyo.
In a separate move this month, Fortress Investment Group appointed Yuko Umino to run its private wealth solutions business in Japan and Harry Bush to lead the same unit across EMEA.
They will report to Adam Bobker and Nils Wilson, the global co-heads of private wealth solutions.
