Kenichi Sasada: Overseas Investor Dialogue Essential for Growth

Mizuho Trust & Banking Co. Will partner with Nasdaq Inc. Starting this fiscal year to support the investor relations efforts of Japanese firms in an attempt to attract more overseas capital.

President and CEO Kenichi Sasada announced the collaboration in a recent interview, stating that the bank will utilize the international network and database of the U.S. Exchange operator. Mizuho Trust intends to use these resources to research the specific challenges and concerns of global investors regarding its client companies, helping those firms build stronger relations of trust with international shareholders.

Sasada emphasized the importance of communication between domestic companies and international markets to drive economic expansion. He noted that Companies need dialogue with overseas investors to spur investment for growth.

Industry Leadership and Corporate Value

In April 2026, Sasada became the chairman of the Trust Companies Association of Japan. In this industry leadership role, he aims to coordinate the Japanese trust banking sector to work collectively toward enhancing the corporate value of domestic companies.

This initiative comes as the presence of overseas investors increases and activist shareholders become more prominent in the Japanese market.

Family Business and Succession Support

Mizuho Trust is also expanding its advisory and consulting services for family-owned businesses, which the bank identifies as a core strength. Sasada stated that supporting inheritance and smooth business succession is essential for strengthening national power by ensuring businesses continue to operate.

To integrate these services, the group is establishing a “Family Business Management Desk” during the current fiscal year. This cross-functional organization will combine the resources of the group’s banking, trust, and securities divisions to provide unified support ranging from asset management to business succession.

Through the establishment of this desk, Mizuho Trust aims to increase revenue related to family businesses to 2.5 times the results achieved in the previous fiscal year.

Digital Engagement for Individual Shareholders

The bank is implementing new digital strategies to facilitate dialogue with individual shareholders. Starting with shareholder meetings in June 2026, Mizuho Trust will utilize the LINE messaging app to send investor relations information and notifications.

Following the initial rollout of notifications, the bank plans to expand the use of the platform by 2027 to guide shareholders toward sites for the exercise of voting rights.