Hideo Abe

Nikko Cordial Corp. provides investment banking, securities underwriting and related financial services. It also offers asset management, merchant banking, venture capital, research and online brokerage services (called Nikko Beans). Nikko Cordial services as a holding company. The company was founded in April, 1944 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. (Nikko AM) is the investment management subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc. (TYO: 8309, ADR: SUTNY) in Japan. The firm is headquartered in Tokyo and has additional offices in London, New York, Hong Kong and Singapore. Founded in 1959, Nikko AM provides investment advisory and asset management services to institutional investors, such as corporations, pension funds, trust banks, charitable organizations, government agencies and funds, supranational organizations; as well as pooled investment vehicles, including Japanese investment trusts, and Nikko AM Group affiliates. The firm is a socially responsible investor and signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI).

Citigroup Global Markets Japan, Inc. (CGM-JP) is a wholly-owned broker/dealer subsidiary of Citigroup Japan Holdings GK, ultimately held by Citigroup, Inc. (NYSE: C) in the US. Previously known as Nikko Citigroup Ltd., the firm was founded in 1999 as a joint venture between US-based Citigroup and Nikko Securities, based in Japan. Headquartered in Tokyo, CGM-JP provides brokerage services to governmental institutions, financial institutions, multinational corporations and institutional investors. Their sales and trading, distribution and research capabilities span a broad range of asset classes, currencies, sectors and products including equities, commodities, credit, futures, foreign exchange (FX), emerging markets, G10 rates, municipals, prime finance and securitized markets.

Nikko Citigroup Ltd. (Broker) (NC-BR) is the brokerage operating division of Nikko Citigroup Ltd., the Tokyo-based wholesale brokerage arm of Citigroup, Inc. (NYSE: C). Established in 2007, the firm was previously known as Nikko Citigroup Securities Co. Ltd. and can trace their origins back to 1944 when Nikko Securities Ltd. was founded. In 1999 Nikko Cordial Corp. (TSE: 8603) and Citigroup combined operations to become a global wholesale investment bank offering. NC-BR offers asset management consulting and investment advice to retail and corporate clients. They operate in close relationship with Nikko Citigroup for underwriting, M&A advisory services, and fixed-income and equity trading.

Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd. engages in the financial instruments business that includes sales and trade of equity and bond, research, and investment trusts. It operates through the following business divisions: Retail, Corporate Investment Services, and Markets and Products. The Retail business division markets equities, bonds, investment trusts, and insurance for individual clients. The Corporate Investment Services business division offers securities solutions, investment banking, management strategies and raising funds for corporate clients. The Markets and Products division handles the product development. The company was founded in July 1917 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.