Japan

JAPAN - Japanese pension plan sponsors have restored funding ratios to healthy levels and are exploring hybrid benefits structures such as cash balance plans, according to Greenwich Associates.

JAPAN - Nobu Shimizu, the former director-general of the investment management department at the Y110trn Japanese Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), has left the organisation and moved to an independent administrative corporation.

JAPAN -The Japan Pension Funds Association has revealed a potential list of new investment allocations into areas such as real estate, hedge funds, infrastructure, commodities and an expansion of private equity.

JAPAN - State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) has exclusively revealed plans to launch global exchange traded fund (ETF) products in Japan to boost the options available to investors.

JAPAN - The world's largest pension portfolio, the Japanese Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), has begun the process of selecting new candidates to run mandates for the active management of domestic and foreign equities.

JAPAN - Japanese politicians have proposed creating a giant Y200trn pension scheme which would incorporate the world's current largest, the Y110trn Japanese Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF).

JAPAN - Nomura Holdings has denied it is in talks with the country's fourth-largest bank, Resona Holdings, to join the two firms' asset management and investment banking businesses.

JAPAN - Lawmakers have sought to put a lid on the nation's pension data woes by passing a package of reformist bills.

JAPAN - Economics Nobel Prize winner Myron Scholes has revealed his investment firm is seeking a license to advise Japanese pension funds after opening an office in the country.

JAPAN - The world's largest pension portfolio, the Japanese Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), has reportedly decided to make its first investment in the small cap sector.