Hiroko Sato

Jefferies (Japan) Ltd. (JJ) is the Tokyo branch and subsidiary of US-based Jefferies Asia Holdings II Pte Ltd., ultimately held by Leucadia National Corp. (NYSE: LUK) in the US. Established in 1996, the firm focuses on Asian markets and provides brokerage and investment banking services to institutional and corporate clients located primarily in Asia and the Middle East. Their activities include sales and trading of Japanese equity, equity-linked and structured products, the distribution of equity research and execution services in cooperation with US and European offices and the provision of electronic connectivity throughout Asia. They issue equity shares through GDRs and ADRs, and are a leading issuer of convertible bonds, high-yield in particular. In-house research covers a variety of industries including the maritime sector, infrastructure, logistics, outsourcing, technology and IT. In addition to Japan, JJ focuses on countries such as China and India, providing a range of services to Chinese and Indian companies, including access to international equity and debt capital markets, securities underwriting, US public and private offerings and cross-border M&A advisory. They also cooperate with private equity and venture capital firms focused on the Chinese and Indian markets.

UBS Securities Japan Co., Ltd. (UBS-SJ) is part of the investment banking division and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Switzerland-based UBS AG (SWX: UBSN; NYSE: UBS). Located in Tokyo, the firm was established in 1988. The firm's culture emphasizes cross-business cooperation with fellow subsidiaries both in Japan and globally, combining the reach of a global group with local knowledge and insight. One of the largest securities operations in Japan, UBS-SJ provides investment products and services to Japanese institutional and corporate clients, as well as to foreign investors doing business in Japan. The firm's business is organized in three departments: FIRC (fixed income, rates and currencies), equity and investment banking. The investment banking division specializes in large-cap mergers and acquisitions, performing market research and analysis of M&A deals from a global perspective. The equity department is research-oriented and covers an extensive universe of large-cap Japanese firms. They also cover small- and mid-cap equity, and have specialist expertise in the automobile, auto parts, machinery and pharmaceutical sectors. Services provided to corporate clients include assistance with IPOs, block trades, convertible bonds, and warrants.

JPMorgan Securities Japan Co. Ltd. (JPMS-J) is the brokerage subsidiary of JPMorgan International Finance Ltd., itself a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) in the US. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, JPMS-J provides investment banking services, intermediary of Global Custody service and other asset servicing business provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. and its group companies.