Mizuho Financial Group has announced a partnership with Mercer Japan and Mercer Investments (Japan) to provide outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) services in Japan.

This collaboration aims to enhance the investment services available to clients, including pension funds and educational institutions, through Mizuho’s asset management subsidiary, Asset Management One.

The partnership will enable Mizuho to offer a comprehensive suite of OCIO services, building on existing solutions provided by Mizuho Trust & Banking and Asset Management One.

The collaboration will focus on several key areas, including optimised asset management across various asset classes, addressing the shortage of specialised talent, improving risk management, and ensuring robust reporting and oversight.

Additionally, Asset Management One plans to enhance its investment solutions by utilising Mercer’s proprietary manager research and global investment platform.

This partnership is expected to create new opportunities for value-added services for clients.

Mizuho stated that it aims to support the Japanese government’s initiative to establish Japan as a leading asset management centre through its expanded offerings for asset owners.

Mercer, which is part of Marsh McLennan, employs over 25,000 people and operates in 130 countries.

The company collaborates with private and public pensions, sovereign wealth funds, and institutional investors. It manages more than $17.5tn in assets under advice and $613bn in global assets.

Earlier this month, Mercer acquired SECOR Asset Management, founded in 2010 by Tony Kao, Ray Iwanowski, and their partners.

SECOR offers diverse portfolio solutions designed for institutional investors, including pension funds, insurance companies, endowments, and family offices.

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