Apollo has named Yasuo Kashiwagi as Head of Japan, a move that reflects the firm’s deepening commitment to one of Asia’s most dynamic and complex financial markets. In this role, Kashiwagi will oversee Apollo’s integrated strategy across Japan, guiding the firm’s efforts in asset management, capital solutions, and wealth and retirement services. His appointment comes at a time when Apollo is expanding its footprint across the Asia Pacific region, building on nearly two decades of activity and a steadily growing presence in Tokyo since the opening of its dedicated office in 2019.
Apollo’s growth in Japan has been shaped by the country’s evolving investment landscape, where institutional investors are increasingly seeking flexible capital solutions and yield-oriented strategies. The firm has responded by building a local team of more than 30 professionals and forging partnerships with leading institutions across origination, insurance, and wealth management. With Kashiwagi at the helm, Apollo is poised to enter a new phase of expansion, one that emphasizes deeper engagement with regulatory bodies, stronger institutional relationships, and more agile execution across its business lines.
Kashiwagi brings a wealth of experience to the role, with over three decades of leadership experience in global finance. Most recently, he served as Senior Managing Executive Officer and Deputy Chief Executive of the Asset Management and Investor Services Business Unit at Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation. His career also includes senior roles at Nomura Holdings, where he worked across Europe and the United States, giving him a broad perspective on international markets and a nuanced understanding of Japan’s financial ecosystem.
His appointment builds on a series of strategic moves by Apollo in Japan over the past year. The firm has added seasoned professionals across its wealth management, credit, and hybrid investment teams. It has provided capital support to several blue-chip Japanese companies through its established equity platform. Apollo has also entered into new partnerships aimed at expanding its lending and retirement offerings, reflecting a broader effort to align its capabilities with the needs of Japan’s aging population and shifting economic priorities.
Apollo’s partnership with Athene further strengthens its position in the region. Together, the integrated platform manages approximately $20 billion in assets in Japan, offering a comprehensive suite of investment strategies that span private credit, hybrid instruments, and private equity. This scale enables Apollo to deliver tailored solutions to a diverse range of clients, from institutional investors to distribution partners, while maintaining the agility necessary to respond to local market dynamics.
KEY QUOTES:
“Japan stands out as a market where long-term structural trends align with Apollo’s strengths. Institutions and corporates are increasingly turning to private capital as a solution, not just for financing, but also for long-term partnership. At the same time, Japan’s demographics are creating urgent demand for retirement income solutions. We are committed to building trusted relationships and delivering scaled, flexible capital that addresses these needs. With the addition of Kashiwagi’s leadership to our talented regional and global team, we are positioned to deepen our presence and broaden our impact.”
Jim Zelter, President of Apollo Global Management
“Apollo’s approach in Japan has been to listen carefully, remain disciplined and deliver tailored solutions to our partners. As corporates look beyond traditional sources of capital and the retirement ecosystem evolves, our ability to take a long-term, outcome-focused approach has only become more relevant. Kashiwagi’s appointment reflects our commitment to serving the needs of today’s business leaders and delivering next generation investment strategies to help individuals achieve better outcomes in retirement.”
Tatsuo Tanaka, Japan Chair
“I’m honored to lead Apollo’s efforts in Japan and work closely with our local and global teams to advance the firm’s position as a leading provider of capital and retirement solutions. We see growing demand for capital that is aligned, durable and flexible, especially in an environment where investors and issuers alike are focused on long-term outcomes. I believe Apollo is uniquely positioned to support Japan’s transition with a platform that combines global origination capabilities, retirement expertise, equity and yield-oriented solutions at scale.”
Yasuo Kashiwagi
AloJapan.com