Professional Pensions www.professionalpensions.com AIJ president arrested in £878m Japanese pension scandal <p><!--summary start--> Four executives of AIJ Investment Advisors have been arrested in an alleged fraud relating to missing pension fund money. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2185670/aij-president-arrested-gbp878m-japanese-pension-scandal https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2185670/aij-president-arrested-gbp878m-japanese-pension-scandal Wed, 20 Jun 2012 09:59:27 +0000 Seismic shift in risk appetite sees Japan's managers suffer <p><!--summary start--> Recently released year-end results show assets under management for Japanese asset managers were down 12% in the year ended March 31, as Gavin Blair reports <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/feature/2106786/seismic-shift-risk-appetite-japan-managers-suffer https://www.professionalpensions.com/feature/2106786/seismic-shift-risk-appetite-japan-managers-suffer Tue, 6 Sep 2011 10:08:00 +0000 CPPIB forms joint venture with Asian logistics firm <p><!--summary start--> CANADA/JAPAN - The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Global Logistic Properties (GLP) have formed a joint venture to invest in the country's logistics network. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2105840/cppib-forms-joint-venture-asian-logistics-firm https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2105840/cppib-forms-joint-venture-asian-logistics-firm Thu, 1 Sep 2011 10:57:00 +0000 GPIF returns 0.21% in Q2 as assets fall by $33bn <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Japan's public pension fund scraped a small return on its investments in the second quarter after its assets fell by $33bn, its latest report shows. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2105195/gpif-returns-021-q2-assets-fall-usd33bn https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2105195/gpif-returns-021-q2-assets-fall-usd33bn Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:36:16 +0000 Japan delays accounting changes - reports <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - The implementation of new accounting rules that would have forced companies to book pension fund shortfalls as liabilities on their balance sheets is to be postponed, according to reports. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2103977/japan-accounting-changes-delayed-reports https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2103977/japan-accounting-changes-delayed-reports Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:24:00 +0000 Moody's downgrades Japan on debt concerns <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Credit rating agency Moody's has downgraded Japan's sovereign debt rating by one notch, saying weak political leadership has hampered growth. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1009483/moodys-downgrades-japan-debt-concerns https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1009483/moodys-downgrades-japan-debt-concerns Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:05:00 +0000 Mercer considers implemented consulting launch in Japan <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Mercer is considering launching its implemented consulting service in the Japanese institutional market. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1016885/mercer-considers-implemented-consulting-launch-japan https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1016885/mercer-considers-implemented-consulting-launch-japan Tue, 2 Aug 2011 10:05:00 +0000 Japanese pensions have twice as much in pooled accounts than with asset managers <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Japan's corporate pension funds have twice as much money entrusted to pooled accounts run by life companies and trust banks as they have under mandates awarded to asset managers, research shows. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2097616/japan-pensions-twice-pooled-accounts-asset-managers https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2097616/japan-pensions-twice-pooled-accounts-asset-managers Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:41:00 +0000 Chuo Mitsui inches to top of GPIF managers <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Chuo Mitsui Asset Trust and Banking has emerged as the Government Pension Investment Fund's (GPIF) largest external manager over the past year, while AXA Rosenberg has disappeared from the list. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2093234/chuo-mitsui-inches-gpif-managers https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2093234/chuo-mitsui-inches-gpif-managers Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:53:00 +0000 QCM targets Asia Pacific with new Japan office <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - UK hedge fund manager Quality Capital Management (QCM) has opened an office in Tokyo as part of plans to grow its Asia Pacific business. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2084067/qcm-targets-asia-pacific-japan-office https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2084067/qcm-targets-asia-pacific-japan-office Tue, 5 Jul 2011 11:36:29 +0000 Global web debate: Investing in Japan <p><!--summary start--> GP speaks to global asset managers about where they see opportunities arising from the recovery. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1013523/global-web-debate-investing-japan https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1013523/global-web-debate-investing-japan Wed, 25 May 2011 17:09:34 +0000 Top changes for Fidelity in Asia <p><!--summary start--> ASIA - Fidelity International has promoted Judy Marlinski to president of the Japan business and scooped the former CEO of BGI's Asia business for a new managing director of Asia ex-Japan role. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1017305/changes-fidelity-asia https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1017305/changes-fidelity-asia Fri, 13 May 2011 12:44:00 +0000 Japan pensions to boost alternative investment <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Japanese pension funds plan to increase investments in alternative assets and pare their holdings of domestic bonds and stocks this fiscal year to diversify portfolios and bolster returns, a survey showed. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2045903/japan-pensions-boost-alternative-investment https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2045903/japan-pensions-boost-alternative-investment Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:03:45 +0000 Reports from Japan <p><!--summary start--> Japanese asset managers and pension funds share their experiences dealing with one of Japan's most severe natural disasters. Gavin Blair and Raquel Pichardo-Allison report <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/feature/2040868/reports-japan https://www.professionalpensions.com/feature/2040868/reports-japan Wed, 6 Apr 2011 12:00:57 +0000 Japan should not use pension funds for disaster relief - minister <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Japan should not tap funds said aside for pension payments to fund disaster relief efforts, economics minister Kaoru Yosano has said. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1002579/japan-pension-funds-disaster-relief-minister https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1002579/japan-pension-funds-disaster-relief-minister Tue, 22 Mar 2011 10:21:10 +0000 Mobius: Do not panic sell Japan <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Investors in Japan should look beyond the short-term impact of the crisis as the country will recover quickly due to its large foreign reserves, said Mark Mobius. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2035649/mobius-panic-sell-japan https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2035649/mobius-panic-sell-japan Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:29:00 +0000 Week on the Web 11 March - 17 March 2011: What stories have you missed out on this week? <p><!--summary start--> GLOBAL - Have you missed the biggest stories in pensions this week? Find out below, as we list the top 10 most popular stories on www.globalpensions.com over the past seven days. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2035369/web-march-march-2011-stories-missed https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2035369/web-march-march-2011-stories-missed Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:35:51 +0000 Euro markets tumble on fresh Japan radiation fears <p><!--summary start--> EUROPE/JAPAN - Major European indices suffered triple-digit losses on Tuesday after a third explosion at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant raised fresh radiation fears and sparked a 1,000-point plunge on the Nikkei 225. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2034179/euro-markets-tumble-fresh-japan-radiation-fears https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2034179/euro-markets-tumble-fresh-japan-radiation-fears Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:19:00 +0000 Japan quake will delay growth until Q3 - Nomura <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Nomura predicts the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan will cut between 0.5% and 1% off the country's GDP next quarter. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2033879/japan-quake-delay-growth-q3-nomura https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2033879/japan-quake-delay-growth-q3-nomura Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:05:00 +0000 Korean fund to buy stake in Brazil mining firm <p><!--summary start--> SOUTH KOREA/JAPAN/BRAZIL - South Korea's National Pension Service and Posco, the world's third-biggest steelmaker, will buy a combined 15% stake in a Brazilian niobium producer with a group of Japanese companies. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2030448/korean-fund-stake-brazil-mining-firm https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2030448/korean-fund-stake-brazil-mining-firm Thu, 3 Mar 2011 13:59:00 +0000 Japan fund returns 0.62% <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - The Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) returned 0.62% in the third quarter of the fiscal year, down from 1.62% the previous quarter. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2029062/japan-fund-returns-062 https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2029062/japan-fund-returns-062 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:17:16 +0000 World's biggest pension fund may sell Japan bonds for payouts <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Japan's public pension fund, the world's largest, said it may become a net seller of bonds to cover payments in the world's most rapidly ageing society. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2028756/world-biggest-pension-fund-sell-japan-bonds-payouts https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2028756/world-biggest-pension-fund-sell-japan-bonds-payouts Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:27:15 +0000 China overtakes Japan as world's second largest economy <p><!--summary start--> GLOBAL - China has eclipsed Japan as the world's second largest economy after posting GDP figures of $5.8trn for 2010, beating Japan's $5.474trn. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1014006/china-overtakes-japan-worlds-largest-economy https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1014006/china-overtakes-japan-worlds-largest-economy Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:15:59 +0000 Japanese pensions under pressure <p><!--summary start--> Japan's occupational pensions are straining under the pressure to provide pensions for its rapidly ageing population, as Gavin Blair reports <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/feature/2024581/japanese-pensions-pressure https://www.professionalpensions.com/feature/2024581/japanese-pensions-pressure Tue, 8 Feb 2011 10:44:00 +0000 GPIF: steering a giant <p><!--summary start--> Gavin Blair speaks to Nobusuke Tamaki, director general, planning department at Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) - the world's biggest pension fund - about record profits, deflation and deficits, as well as increased scrutiny from a new government <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/feature/1063223/gpif-steering-giant https://www.professionalpensions.com/feature/1063223/gpif-steering-giant Tue, 8 Feb 2011 10:20:00 +0000 Don't ignore yen vs. Asia <p><!--summary start--> Investors typically look at the movement of the yen against the US dollar, but David Walker warns not to overlook the impact of other Asian currencies <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/ https://www.professionalpensions.com/ Tue, 8 Feb 2011 09:56:00 +0000 State Street expands global transition team <p><!--summary start--> US/ASIA - State Street Global Markets has appointed four senior transition managers for its global portfolio solutions groups in the US, Australia and Japan. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2023971/street-expands-global-transition-team https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/2023971/street-expands-global-transition-team Thu, 3 Feb 2011 11:42:57 +0000 Japanese pensions set to boost developing markets exposures <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - The adoption of new benchmarks by some Japanese pension funds is set to boost their holdings of emerging markets shares, says Goldman Sachs Investment Research. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1937688/japanese-pensions-set-boost-developing-markets-exposures https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1937688/japanese-pensions-set-boost-developing-markets-exposures Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:55:00 +0000 GPIF should set up board of directors, diversify investment strategy - OECD <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - The Government Pension Investment Fund should establish a board of directors and employ a chief executive and chief investment officer, a report by the OECD has concluded. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1023275/gpif-set-board-directors-diversify-investment-strategy-oecd https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1023275/gpif-set-board-directors-diversify-investment-strategy-oecd Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:40:00 +0000 Noda says Japan still deliberating 50% pension contribution <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Japanese finance minister Yoshihiko Noda said the government hasn't decided to maintain its 50% pension obligation next year after media reports said it has secured funds to meet the payouts. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1016079/noda-japan-deliberating-pension-contribution https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1016079/noda-japan-deliberating-pension-contribution Fri, 3 Dec 2010 14:59:09 +0000 GPIF posts 1.53% investment return in Q2 <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - The Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), the largest public pension fund in the world, returned 1.53% on its investments in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1006826/gpif-posts-153-investment-return-q2 https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1006826/gpif-posts-153-investment-return-q2 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 11:05:55 +0000 AIFAM to boost Catastrophe Bond Fund with Japan pension money <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN/US - New York-based hedge fund AIFAM aims to boost the assets in its catastrophe bond fund by five times to $150m over the next year with Japanese pension money. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1897993/aifam-boost-catastrophe-bond-fund-japan-pension-money https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1897993/aifam-boost-catastrophe-bond-fund-japan-pension-money Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:27:00 +0000 Mizuho alternative unit targets $1.2bn from pension funds <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Mizuho Global Alternative Investments aims to raise ¥100bn ($1.2bn) in three years after starting this month to help Japanese pensions invest in hedge funds. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1790649/mizuho-alternative-unit-targets-usd12bn-pension-funds https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1790649/mizuho-alternative-unit-targets-usd12bn-pension-funds Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:18:00 +0000 First State Investments opens in Japan <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - First State Investments has opened an office in Japan and hired a new director of institutional business to help expand its reach in the institutional and pension fund market. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1734766/-investments-japan https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1734766/-investments-japan Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:07:50 +0000 MSIM launches Japanese equity fund <p><!--summary start--> Morgan Stanley Investment Management has launched a Japanese equity fund targeted at institutional investors. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1732881/msim-expands-japanese-equity-team-launches-fund https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1732881/msim-expands-japanese-equity-team-launches-fund Tue, 14 Sep 2010 10:13:00 +0000 Interest turns to action: Investors pour into Japan <p><!--summary start--> Investors are betting on Japanese corporates. In a web debate sponsored by Nomura Asset Management, Global Pensions editor Raquel Pichardo-Allison speaks to Nomura investment specialist Peter Jenkins, Mercer principal Piers Bertlin and Hewitt Associates senior asset allocation specialist Tapan Datta about Japan's turnaround story <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/feature/1731062/-action-investors-pour-japan https://www.professionalpensions.com/feature/1731062/-action-investors-pour-japan Fri, 3 Sep 2010 14:21:49 +0000 Japan Pension boosts asset sales to $48bn <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Japan's public pension fund, the world's largest, will increase asset sales by more than five times to about ¥4trn ($48bn) this fiscal year as payouts rise with the nation's population ageing. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1731171/japan-pension-boosts-asset-sales-usd48bn https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1731171/japan-pension-boosts-asset-sales-usd48bn Fri, 3 Sep 2010 10:58:00 +0000 Japan pensions seek roads, ports assets as population ages <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Japanese pension funds are starting to invest in toll roads, ports and pipelines for the first time, seeking higher returns to meet the retirement needs of the world's fastest-aging population. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1008153/japan-pensions-seek-roads-ports-assets-population-ages https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1008153/japan-pensions-seek-roads-ports-assets-population-ages Thu, 2 Sep 2010 10:29:09 +0000 GPIF sheds $42bn in quarterly market loss <p><!--summary start--> JAPAN - Japan's $1.4trn Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) returned -2.94% in the quarter ended June 30, equating to a loss of $42bn in assets. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1022165/gpif-sheds-usd42bn-quarterly-market-loss https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/1022165/gpif-sheds-usd42bn-quarterly-market-loss Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:13:24 +0000