Muneya Taniguchi has joined Blackstone as vice-chairman
As Japan continues to be a target for international investors Blackstone has expanded its top leadership within the country. A statement was released this week.
Muneya Taniguchi, formerly the deputy president of Tokyo’s MUFG Bank has joined Blackstone as vice chairman for Japan, and executive advisor. Blackstone announced this on Tuesday. The company said that the hire would enable further growth in Asia’s second largest economy.
Atsuhiko Sakamoto, head of Blackstone Japan’s private equity division said: “We are delighted to welcome industry veteran Muneya as a member of our Blackstone Japan team.” His expertise will be invaluable to us as we continue expanding our presence in the marketplace and remain differentiated by our scale and partnerships. We are coming off our most active year across businesses in Japan, investing in fantastic assets and businesses and delivering for investors.
Blackstone was the largest buyer of income-earning property in Japan during the 1st quarter, according MSCI. Following up an active 2024, Blackstone purchased a $2.6 billion mixed-use Tokyo complex and a pair Okinawa hotels worth around $130 millions. MUFJ Veteran Taniguchi will be primarily responsible for western Japan. Blackstone stated that the city of Fukuoka, in the southwest, has been the site of many cross-border investments in the last year.
Atsuhiko Sakamoto, head of Blackstone Japan’s private equity
Taniguchi was previously the deputy president of MUFG from April 2021 to June 2021. He had worked as managing executive and then senior managing executive with the Japanese lending giant between 2018 and 2021.
Japan Focus
Taniguchi joins Blackstone as the country’s reforming market and low borrowing rates have made Japan a major market for global investors.
Sakamoto stated that “Japan is a vital part of Blackstone’s global business, and a key contributor to our growth.” He said that Taniguchi’s expertise would be invaluable as they continue to expand their presence in the market, and differentiate themselves through scale and partnerships. We are coming off our most active year across businesses in Japan, investing in fantastic assets and businesses and delivering for investors.
Blackstone’s first quarter acquisitions have contributed to $11 Billion in acquisitions of income earning Japanese properties in the 1st quarter, ranking the country first in Asia Pacific investment markets according to MSCI Real Assets.
In December, the private equity firm led Stephen Schwarzman purchased the Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho from Seibu Holdings for $2.6 billion. This was the largest Japanese real estate purchase ever made by a foreign investor. Blackstone announced just days later that it had agreed to buy the Ritz Carlton, Okinawa, and the Kanehide Kise Beach Palace (from local conglomerate Kanehide Holdings) from the local conglomerate.
Blackstone has also been involved in Japanese corporate acquisitions. Last year, the US company agreed to buy digital anime firm Infocom (19459059) for $1.7 billion. The company was later renamed Amutus. Blackstone agreed in late 2023 to purchase a majority stake of online payment provider Sony Payment Services (19459059) for approximately $280 million.
