KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) — Global credit ratings and research firm, Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) has appointed Yasumitsu “Yasu” Iwasa as Head of Japan, marking another step in its Asia growth strategy following the opening of its Tokyo office in January.
The Tokyo office underlines KBRA’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Asia-Pacific and meeting the needs of Japanese investors in both public and private credit markets, according to a statement.
KBRA Senior Managing Director and Co-Head of Business Development, Kate Kennedy said Japan represents a critical and sophisticated investor market.
“Yasu’s deep network, strategic understanding of global private credit landscapes, and experience launching asset management operations make him uniquely positioned to drive our mission forward in this region,” she said.
Meanwhile, Iwasa said he was honoured to lead KBRA’s operations in Japan, adding that the firm’s focus on transparency, rigorous analysis and client-first service was well aligned with investor needs.
He will work alongside KBRA’s Tokyo-based leadership team, including Head of Business Development Miki Monroe-Sheridan, Head of Japan Compliance Yuuichi Hino and Senior Director Peter Connolly.
Iwasa brings nearly three decades of experience in investment banking and asset management, having served in senior roles at major international financial institutions.
He was most recently Head of Japan and Managing Director at Impax Asset Management, where he oversaw the firm’s Japan operations and acted as a product specialist within its distribution team.
From 2014 to 2021, he was Representative Director, Japan, at Fullerton Fund Management, the asset management arm of Temasek Group. He began his career at Goldman Sachs, where he spent about 12 years in equity derivatives and structuring.
Iwasa holds a master’s degree in international economics from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Essex, United Kingdom.
— BERNAMA
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