Apollo announced that Tatsuo Tanaka has been named as Japan Chair to Apollo. Mr. Tanaka is a 50-year veteran of the banking and finance industry in Japan, having held various senior positions in leading financial institutions, including as Deputy President of MUFG Bank and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Chairman of Union Bank and, most recently, Chairman of Citigroup Japan. Mr. Tanaka’s appointment reflects Apollo’s continued growth in its asset management and retirement services businesses in Japan.
“This new role is a reflection of the importance we place on Japan and the growth opportunities we see in the country to provide fixed income replacement and other alternatives to Japanese institutions and retail investors,” said Apollo CEO Marc Rowan. “Mr. Tanaka is a highly regarded leader and, in chairing Apollo’s Japan business, he will help drive our strategy to partner with Japanese institutions and savers to evolve their asset allocation toward alternatives.”
“I am optimistic about the growth potential of alternatives in the Japanese market and the role they can play in helping to meet long-term retirement income needs. Apollo has built an incredible franchise over 30-plus years delivering downside-protected, excess yield to investors. It is a privilege to serve as their Japan Chair as we bring Apollo’s expertise to new institutional partners and individual investors across the country,” said Mr. Tanaka.
The appointment of Mr. Tanaka is another important step in Apollo’s recent expansion in Japan. Earlier this year, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (collectively, “SuMiTRUST”) committed US$1.5 billion to invest side-by-side with Apollo and Athene in a proprietary portfolio of diversified alternative assets, representing an innovative step in the broader introduction of alternatives to the Japanese market.
Apollo’s retirement services business, Athene, has completed two offshore reinsurance transactions with Japanese insurance companies, helping to deliver retirement income products. Athene has also established a Representative Office in Japan and hired two Senior Vice Presidents there to study and pursue additional Japanese market opportunities.
“Japan is an important market for Apollo, and one where we believe our platform is well suited to provide solutions across the capital structure for our corporate clients, deliver good returns for our investors, and apply our expertise in retirement services to help individuals meet their retirement needs. This appointment reflects our long-term commitment to the Japan market, and we believe Mr. Tanaka will help accelerate our growing asset management and retirement services businesses in Japan,” said Matt Michelini, Partner and Head of Asia-Pacific for Apollo.
As Japan Chair, Mr. Tanaka will continue to support the entirety of Apollo’s asset management platform, including its equity business which is led by Tetsuji Okamoto, Partner and Head of Japan Private Equity.