Ritsuo Watanabe

Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities Co., Ltd. is the Japanese broker-dealer subsidiary of Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) in the US. Headquartered in Tokyo, the firm was founded in 1984 and provides investment banking, sales & trading, real estate and investment management products and services. It offers securities services including global sales and trading in fixed income and equities, debt and equities financing and investment research. The firm is a provider of products and services in fixed income, equities, global capital markets and investment research to corporations and institutional clients in Japan.

Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. (NSC) is a wholly-owned brokerage subsidiary of Nomura Holdings, Inc. (TSE: 8604; NYSE: NMR). Headquartered in Tokyo, the firm was founded in 1925. NSC places a strong emphasis on research, both fundamental and quantitative. In addition to stock and bond underwriting, their activities include IPO and M&A advisory, wealth management, separately managed accounts, fund wrap services, prime brokerage and structured equity finance. Their clients include institutions, hedge funds, private banks and private equity funds as well as corporate clients and retail investors.

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.

Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd. (Broker) (Mizuho Securities-Broker) is the brokerage division of Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd., ultimately owned by Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (TYO: 8411; NYSE: MFG) in Japan. The firm was originally founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Tokyo with a network of offices throughout Japan as well as overseas representation through Mizuho entities or strategic partners (in Great Britain, Switzerland, the US, Hong Kong, Mainland China, South Korea, Singapore and India). Mizuho Securities-Broker provides enhanced equity and fixed income execution services for their clients who includes private individuals in Japan, domestic and foreign institutions, non-financial companies, financial institutions and public corporations in the securities and investment banking fields.

SMBC Nikko Securities, Inc. is the securities brokerage subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (TYO: 8316) in Japan. Headquartered in Tokyo, the firm was founded in 2009 and provides stockbroking services to Japanese individuals and corporate clients.

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.

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 Barclays PLC, Barclays Securities Japan Ltd. is a brokerage company based in Tokyo, Japan. Barclays Securities Japan provides brokerage services. The Japanese company was founded in 1987. Kentaro Kiso has been the CEO of the company since 2014.

Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd. (GSJCL) is the Japan-based broker-dealer subsidiary of Goldman Sachs (Japan) Ltd., ultimately held by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS) in the US. The firm originated in 1974 and was formally founded in 1983. Headquartered in Tokyo, GSJCL offers Internet-based transaction services covering equity, debt, commodities and derivatives to a substantial and diversified client base, which includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high net worth individuals.

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.

Part of Tokai Tokyo Financial Holdings, Inc., Tokai Tokyo Research Institute Co. Ltd. is a company that provides investment research. The company is based in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese company was founded in 1980. The CEO is Hiroshi Maezono.

Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co., Ltd. (MUMSS) is an independent securities brokerage firm headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The firm was founded in 1948 through a joint venture between Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Holdings Co. Ltd. and Morgan Stanley Japan Holdings Co. Ltd. MUMSS offers domestic retail brokerage services to corporate and institutional clients.

Part of Moody's Corp., Moody's Japan KK is a Japanese company that provides investment research. The company is based in Tokyo, Japan. The company was founded in 1985. The CEO is Kei Kitayama.

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.

CLSA Securities Japan Co., Ltd. (CLSA Japan) is the Japan-based brokerage subsidiary of CLSA Ltd., itself a subsidiary of CITIC Securities Co., Ltd. (SH: 600030; HK: 6030; PK: CIIHY) in China. The firm was established in 2004 as Calyon Securites Ltd. They subsequently became Credit Agricole Securities Asia B.V., Tokyo Branch and changed their name to CLSA Securities Japan Co., Ltd. in 2013 when they merged with CLSA Japan Co. Headquartered in Hong Kong, CLSA Japan provides brokerage services including Japanese & Asian research and European equities. The CLSA Japan team works closely with the global sales teams in London, NY, Hong Kong and Singapore.

First Shanghai Securities Ltd. is a securities brokerage firm headquartered in Hong Kong. The firm was founded in 1999 and is subsidiary of First Shanghai Financial Holding Ltd., which is owned by First Shanghai Investments Ltd. (HKG: 0227). First Shanghai Securities provides securities trading services in the Hong Kong financial market. They are also actively engaged in share placement and IPO subscription activities, custodian and nominee services, as well as the newly launched futures trading operation.

BOCOM International Securities Ltd. (BISL) is the wholly-owned brokerage subsidiary of BOCOM International Holdings Co. Ltd., itself a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. (PK: BCMXY) in China. The firm was created in 2007 when BCOM Securities Co. Ltd., restructured and became BOCOM International Holdings Co., Ltd., establishing BOCOM International-Asia, BOCOM International Securities Ltd., and BOCOM International Asset Management Ltd. as wholly-owned subsidiaries, each specifically designed to focus on their unique businesses. Based in Hong Kong, BISL specializes in providing platforms for securities, futures, contracts trading and margin financing business activities. Clients can place trading instructions directly to investment advisors via designated telephone lines, including a secured on-line trading platform for both securities and futures contracts. As a member of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the firm provides direct execution via the AMS/3 System to their clients for all Hong Kong listed shares.

Merrill Lynch Far East Ltd. is the stockbroking subsidiary of Merrill Lynch HK Services Ltd., ultimately owned by Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC) in the US. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the firm was founded in 2003 and offers a broad range of brokerage services to institutional investors.

Seiga Asset Management Ltd. (Seiga) is an alternative investment management firm headquartered in Hong Kong. The firm was founded in 2016 and is solely owned by Keita Arisawa through Seiga Asset Management (Cayman) Ltd. Seiga offers discretionary investment management services to commingled open end private investment funds.

PAG Investment Management Co., Ltd. is the Japanese asset management subsidiary of Pacific Alliance Group Ltd., itself owned by PAG, an alternative investment firm based in Hong Kong. Headquartered in Tokyo, the firm was founded in 1997 and manages assets of private and institutional investors.

Part of AllianceBernstein Holding LP, Sanford C. Bernstein Japan KK is a brokerage services provider. The company is based in Tokyo, Japan.

KJR Management KK engages in asset management and real estate investment trusts business. It provides investment and real estates services. It offers financing, leasing and project development services. The company was founded on November 15, 2000 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Boustead Wavefront, Inc. operates as an investment and advisory firm. It offers corporate development and advisory services, including advisory on financing, intellectual property strategy & monetization, corporate development, and mergers & acquisitions transactions. The company was founded on November 12, 2021 and is headquartered in Singapore.

University of Washington functions as a College/University. The company is headquartered in Seattle, WA.

China International Capital Corp. Ltd. (Broker) (CICC) is the brokerage division of China International Capital Corp. Ltd. which was established in 1995 as a strategic partnership between Chinese and international financial institutions and corporations. Headquartered in Beijing, CICC was the first joint venture investment bank in China. The firm's core business departments were investment banking, capital markets, sales & trading, research, fixed-income and asset management. CICC offers a range of brokerage services to international and domestic institutional and individual investors. In 2007 the firm set up a wholly-owned subsidiary specializing in private equity investments and focusing on buyout opportunities within China.

Calixto Global Investors LP (Calixto Global) is a SEC-registered investment advisor and hedge fund manager headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida. The firm was founded by Eduardo Costa in 2014 and is a subsidiary of Costa Calixto IM LLC. Calixto Global offers investment advisory services to pooled investment vehicles intended for sophisticated investors.

AllianceBernstein Japan Ltd. (AB Japan) is the wholly-owned Japanese fund management subsidiary of AllianceBernstein Corp. of Delaware, ultimately held by Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EQH) in the US. The firm was founded in 1996 and formerly known as Alliance Capital Asset Management (Japan) Ltd. AB Japan is headquartered in Tokyo and manages mutual funds for individual and institutional investors.

Part of Daiwa Securities Group, Inc., Daiwa Institute of Research Ltd. conducts economic research and provides financial and investment advisory services. The company is based in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese company was founded in 2008. Yoriyuki Kusaki has been the CEO of the company since 2016.

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.

Goldman Sachs (Singapore) Pte. (Goldman Sachs-Singapore) is the brokerage subsidiary of New York-based Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS), a global investment bank that offers financial services to corporations, institutions, governments and high-net worth individuals. Headquartered in Singapore, the firm opened in 1989 and is the regional hub for the group's activities in Southeast Asia, particularly asset management and energy trading. Goldman Sachs-Singapore provides a full range of corporate finance and capital markets products and services across a wide range of operating areas. Business functions include capital structuring advisory, and security services.

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.

The Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd. (Broker) (HSBC-Broker) is the brokerage division of The Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd. in Hong Kong. Their ultimate parent is HSBC Holdings Plc (LON: HSBA), a multinational investment bank and financial services holding company headquartered in London, UK. HSBC-Broker provides securities brokerage services to their clients.

Pelham Smithers Associates Ltd. is a leading independent research provider that covers the Japanese stock market. The private company is based in London, UK. The British company focuses on Japanese manufacturing, including TMT, autos, pharma, and machinery. Pelham Smithers Associates was founded by James M. Ford and Pelham M. W. Smithers, with Pelham M. W. Smithers serving as the CEO since incorporation.