A True ‘Success Partner’ in Singapore

Posted in: Business Times – Japan 2015 Started by Benj

As a regional financial hub, Singapore offers unrivalled accessibility to financial markets and international investors. Nissay Asset Management (NAM), a strategic subsidiary of Nippon Life Insurance Company, one of Japan’s largest life insurers, established its first overseas office in Singapore two years ago. Today, the company is taking advantage of Singapore’s financial market strengths and expanding its asset management business.

“Nippon Life’s investment arm already conducted Asian equity investment projects in Singapore so we decided to use this entity as our first international subsidiary,” says Kiyoshi Ujihara, President and Chief Executive Officer of NAM. “We bought the majority stake of the entity from Nippon Life and started our Asian business as Nippon Life Global Investors Singapore (“NLGIS”).”

With a reinforced investment team, a strengthened product offering and an expanded client network, NAM has seen its assets under management increase from USD 42 billion (as of 31 Dec 2011) to USD 70 billion (as of 31 Dec 2014) in the past three years.

“We see momentum in our management business and are strengthening our investment capabilities in Japan and the rest of Asia by expanding our client network,” says Ujihara.

Japan - Kiyoshi Ujihara, President and Chief Executive Officer, Nissay Asset Management Corporation

‘We see momentum in our management business and are strengthening our investment capabilities in Japan and the rest of Asia.’

Kiyoshi Ujihara, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Nissay Asset Management
Corporation

NAM offers investment services related to equities, fixed income, balanced funds, alternatives and other products to both retail investors and pension funds. The firm is also strengthening its investment capabilities in Asian equities by hiring investment professionals in Singapore and developing new products such as Asian and Japanese equities which are managed by its Singapore and Tokyo offices.

“Our strategy is to provide products related to Asian investments aimed at our Japanese clients,” says Ujihara. “As we move forward, we intend to target institutional investors and high net worth individuals in the Singaporean market”.

Singapore will undoubtedly play an important role for NAM as it seeks opportunities in the region, “We see Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and India as potential markets,” says Ujihara. “We are confident that Asia will show strong growth compared to other regions in the long term and will expand our business in Singapore to position ourselves as a ‘Success Partner’ for our clients”.