Noboru Sato

Credit Suisse Securities Japan Ltd. (CSS Japan) is the Japanese securities brokerage subsidiary of Credit Suisse AG, which is owned by Credit Suisse Group AG (SWX: CSGN; NYSE: CS) in Switzerland. The firm was founded in 1985 as First Boston Securities Tokyo. It subsequently became CS First Boston Securities in 1989 and Credit Suisse First Boston in 1996. In 2006, they began operating as Credit Suisse Securities Japan Ltd. Headquartered in Tokyo, CSS Japan performs underwriting, research, sales and trading of government and corporate bonds, foreign exchange, securitized products and real estate-related assets for institutional clients, corporations and government bodies. In addition, the firm offers sales, trading, research, financing, prime brokerage and market-making in Japanese and international equity and equity-related securities, options, futures, risk management and hedging products.

Macquarie Capital Securities (Japan) Ltd. (MCS-J) is a securities brokerage firm and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Macquarie International Investments, which in turn is a subsidiary of Macquarie Bank Ltd. (SY: MBL), based in Australia. Established in 2004 following the acquisition of the Asian equity division of ING Groep NV (NYSE: ING) by Macquarie, MCS-J provides trading and financial analysis services to Japanese and overseas institutions as well as hedge funds. The firm specializes in Japanese equity, economic research, fundamental research at the company level, quantitative analysis, information on infrastructure funds and other funds, equity derivatives and structured products. They also act as intermediary for Macquarie Bank in the equity-linked notes private placement market. The firm's analysts research themes including Japanese reflation, global industries and Asian technologies. MCS-J is located in Tokyo, and operates in close cooperation with Macquarie sales teams in London, Geneva, Frankfurt, New York and Boston.

BofA Securities Japan Co., Ltd. (BofA Securities Japan) is the wholly-owned Japanese brokerage subsidiary of Merrill Lynch International, Inc., which is ultimately owned by Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC). Founded in 1998, the firm was formerly known as Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd. (MLJS) and changed their name to BofA Securities Co., Ltd. in line with grobal re-branding from BofA Merrill Lynch to BofA in 2020. They subsequently became BofA Securities Japan Co., Ltd. Headquartered in Tokyo, BofA Securities Japan provides stock and bond trading, capital markets, investment banking and other advisory services to corporate clients, financial institutions and government agencies.

HSBC Securities (Japan) Ltd. (HSBC-SJ) is the Japanese brokerage arm and a subsidiary of London-based HSBC Holdings Plc (LSE: HSBA; NYSE: HBC). Located in Tokyo and formerly known as James Capel Pacific Ltd., the firm became part of HSBC in 1997. HSBC-SJ is an equity-oriented brokerage firm whose activities encompass fixed-income and treasury as well. The firm specializes in Japanese securities, provides financial advisory, offers prime brokerage services to third-party alternative asset managers and private banking services geared at high-net worth individuals. Their clients include central banks, Japanese and international corporations, institutions, and financial institutions. The firm provides equity-related research and trading, and takes a global approach to quantified strategic analysis and company valuation focused on economic value added and discounted cash flow. Fixed-income trading and underwriting capabilities comprise Yen-denominated, Asian and international bonds, euro medium-tem notes and private placements, debt finance and alternative investment products.

CLSA Securities Korea Ltd. is the South Korean brokerage subsidiary of Netherlands-based CLSA BV, ultimately held by CITIC Securities Co., Ltd. (SHA: 600030) in China. Headquartered in Seoul, the firm was founded in 2002 and provides sales and execution services to institutional investors and corporates world-wide.

Deutsche Securities, Inc. (DSI) is the Japanese brokerage subsidiary of Deutsche Bank Holdings (Luxembourg) SARL, itself a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG (NYSE: DB) in Germany. The firm was established in 1986 as Deutsche Bank Capital Markets (Asia) Ltd. and became Deutsche Securities Inc. in 2006. Located in Tokyo, DSI is the investment banking platform for the Deutsche Bank group in Japan. The firm provides services including research, sales and trading of bonds and equities, capital raising and M&A advisory for corporate and institutional clients. They have particular expertise in sectors such as automotive, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, energy, financials, media, telecommunications, technology, transportation and trading companies. The M&A division is in a leadership position in Japan, and structures deals including overseas investments by manufacturers, asset sales for restructuring corporations, and domestic mergers and acquisitions. DSI's activities include products and services related to fixed-income, equities and commodities as well as real estate investments and financing. Activities related to foreign exchange and money market are primarily operated by the Tokyo branch of Deutsche Bank.

Part of Haitong Securities Co., Ltd., Haitong International Japaninvest KK is a financial services company based in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese company provides fundamental coverage of over 400 companies across China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Peoples' Republic of China, via their 'connect' coverage, and South Korea. The company also provides investors with a quantitative multi-factor screening of the parent company's rated universe of over 750 stocks, looking for financial strength and earnings reliability. The company conducts extensive 'corporate access' activities, connecting investors to the region's corporates, via conferences, events, field trips, and round tables, in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the US. The company has research sales offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and London, and complement those in New York and San Francisco. The company was founded by Rupert J. Eastwood.

Part of BNP Paribas SA, BNP Paribas Securities Japan Ltd. is a security brokers, dealers, and Japanese flotation company. The company is based in Tokyo, Japan. The company was founded in 1987. The CEO is Philippe Avril.

Part of First Financial Holding Co., Ltd., First Capital Management, Inc. is a company based in Taipei, Taiwan. The Taiwanese company specializes in researching the domestic and international financial environment and interpreting trends in various industries. The research department focuses on investment services and strives to be unique and sophisticated. The company has gained recognition in the industry for its professionalism. In addition to continuing to develop in more professional areas, the company will also move towards diversified development in the future, extending its research to new financial products, bonds, venture capital, and other fields. The company was founded in 1992. The CEO is Yi Kuang Chen.

Daiwa Securities Co. Ltd. (Broker) (Daiwa Broker) is the brokerage division of Daiwa Securities Co. Ltd., which is ultimately held by Daiwa Securities Group, Inc. (TYO: 8601). The firm is headquartered in Tokyo and was founded in 2012. Daiwa Broker provides brokerage services to their clients.

Pictet Asset Management (Japan) Ltd. (Pictet AM Japan) is the wholly-owned Japanese asset management subsidiary of Pictet Asia Pte Ltd., itself a subsidiary of Banque Pictet & Cie SA in Switzerland. Founded in 1986, Pictet AM Japan is headquartered in Tokyo and manages investment funds for institutional investors.