Japan's GPIF One Step Closer to Hedge Funds Investment

SINGAPORE, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- For the first time, the world largest institutional investor*, Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), with assets worth approximately USD $1.46 trillion (JPY 113.7 trillion), will share how they plan to optimise investments at the 6th Annual Hedge Fund Investments Japan Congress 2012.

Japan's mammoth public pension plan has more than two-thirds of their assets in Japanese government bonds. However, they have been quoted to re-look at diversifying and investing in assets that may generate higher returns albeit being potentially risker -- and that includes hedge funds.

One of the principal reasons behind the move, as reported by Reuters based on a study conducted by Russell Investments in 2011, is the mounting pension obligations and the weakness of domestic stocks and foreign bonds tied to the yen's prolonged strength.

But just what is the world's biggest investor looking for in hedge fund investments?

Hedge Fund Investments Japan Congress 2012, Japan's number one hedge fund industry event, promises to shed some light on how GPIF, as well as other investors and asset allocators amongst the likes of Nihon Keizai Shimbun Pension Fund, Titan Advisors, Duskin Pension Fund and Tokio Marine Asset Management are reorienting their allocations, and how their investment mandates are evolving.

Representing GPIF at the congress will be Mr Tokihiko Shimizu, Director-General Research Department, Investment Policy Actuary, who will be a panellist on raising the bar in institutional investing amidst this volatile climate.

Other than uncovering the concerns and needs of top institutional investors, the 2012 programme will feature new highlights: a rainmaker session -- insights from international and Japan's top fund managers, an emerging managers' showcase where they pitch how they plan to deliver the alpha, updated perspectives from fund of hedge funds on manager selection and more. Also being debated and discussed are hedge fund strategies including global macro, managed futures / CTA and event-driven to drive higher returns for Japanese investors.

May 23 and 24 will see Tokyo hosting a top-notch gathering of fund managers, investors and other professionals in the hedge fund community with direct interest in Japan.

*Source: aiGlobal 500 from aiCIO, Octobre 2010, (http://www.ai-ciodigital.com/ai-cio/201010?folio=31#pg31).

About Hedge Fund Investments Japan Congress:

The number one hedge funds industry event in Japan, the 6th Annual Hedge Fund Investments Japan Congress 2012, will bring together the largest and most distinguished gathering of hedge funds & their investors on 23 and 24 May 2012 in Tokyo. Hear the world largest institutional investor -- Government Pension Investment Fund -- and others such as Nihon Keizai Shimbun Pension Fund share what they are looking for in hedge fund investments. Also find out how leading fund managers such as Winton Capital, BlackRock, Asuka Asset Management, D.E. Shaw & Co. are profiting amidst the current volatility. www.hedgefundinvestmentsjapan.com

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