Lazard Asset Management Names Tomohiro Kamisaku As CEO Of Lazard Japan Asset Management KK

NEW YORK, JANUARY 31, 2024 – Lazard Asset Management (LAM) announced today that Tomohiro Kamisaku will join the firm as CEO of Lazard Japan Asset Management KK, effective February 1, 2024. Mr. Kamisaku succeeds Yugo Ishida, who has been CEO of Lazard Asset Management’s Japan business since 2014. Mr. Ishida will retire as CEO and become a Senior Advisor at Lazard Asset Management.

“We have a long history of serving our clients in Japan and are positioning ourselves to do more with a broader set of Japanese clients going forward,” said Evan Russo, CEO of Lazard Asset Management. “In Tomohiro, we have found a leader who will help us build on our success, scale our relationships in the country, and help more clients achieve better investment outcomes. Our focus is on continuing to grow in Japan, establishing more partnership arrangements with Japanese financial institutions, and deepening our relationships across institutional and intermediary investors in the country. We’re confident in Tomohiro’s ability to lead those efforts and look forward to welcoming him to Lazard.”

Mr. Kamisaku joins Lazard from Amundi Japan Ltd, where he was most recently Executive Vice President and Head of the firm’s Japan Institutional business. He has held senior leadership roles at several firms serving Japanese investors, including at JP Morgan Asset Management and UBS Asset Management.

Mr. Kamisaku said: “I am excited about joining Lazard Asset Management and building on the strong foundation that Yugo-san has put in place over his successful tenure as CEO. Japanese clients are amongst the most sophisticated in the world and are increasingly looking for more global solutions to meet their investment objectives. As a global firm with strong local roots, Lazard will enable clients to access a wider range of solutions while being anchored in nuances that are specific to Japan. I am ambitious about growing our client base and am looking forward to working with the entire Lazard team – here in Japan and across the world.”

After 10 years leading Lazard Asset Management’s business in Japan, Yugo Ishida will retire in February and become a Senior Advisor. Under his leadership, Lazard’s AUM in the country has more than tripled and the firm has become a valued and trusted partner with a broader set of clients. Mr. Ishida expanded partnerships with Japanese financial institutions, launching several new products over the course of his tenure, and his accomplishments have set a strong foundation for the firm going forward.

Mr. Russo said: “We have been very fortunate to count on Yugo as a trusted leader of our Japanese business and as an advisor to the firm’s leadership team over the past decade. We are grateful for his stewardship and his accomplishments over the years, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role as Senior Advisor. I am pleased that Yugo will continue to be an asset for the Japanese office and the firm.”

Lazard Japan Asset Management KK began operations in 1987, and currently serves a range of intermediary and institutional clients. The office, which consists of members of the distribution team as well as Lazard’s Japanese Equity team, manages approximately $4 billion for Japanese and global clients. As of September 30, 2023, Japan represents nearly $10 billion in assets undermanagement for Lazard.