Citywire Independent Wealth Symposium 2026

Japan is undergoing a transition after decades of low inflation and economic stagnation. This evolution is driven not by short-term policy shifts, but by enduring structural forces reshaping corporate behavior and the broader investment landscape.
We hold an optimistic outlook on the Japanese stock market in the mid- and long-term, as structural factors for the market remain intact and positive, such as corporate governance reforms in Japanese companies, capital efficiency improvements, and a supportive macro backdrop in Japan. These interconnected factors continue to create a favorable environment for value-oriented strategies in Japan.
This session explores how these drivers are transforming Japan investing into a value-creation opportunity for long-term investors seeking diversification and improved risk-adjusted returns across cycles and market regimes.

Workshop Objectives:

This workshop highlights our constructive perspective on Japan value investing and delve into our disciplined investment approach for identifying undervalued opportunities.

Company Profile:

Asset Management One Co., Ltd is one of the leading investment managers in Japan and Asia, with total AUM of $510 billion as of 31 December 2025. Headquartered in Tokyo, the firm has three overseas offices in Hong Kong, London and New York. The firm provides investment management services to investors around the world, including some of the world’s largest institutional investors and corporate asset owners.
Asset Management One Co., Ltd was established in October 2016 through the merger of DIAM Co., Ltd. (DIAM), Mizuho Asset Management Co., Ltd. (MHAM), Shinko Asset Management Co., Ltd. (Shinko) and the asset management function of Mizuho Trust & Banking Co., Ltd. (MHTB). DIAM was established in 1985, while the other three legacy firms trace back to the 1960s or earlier.
The firm is jointly owned by Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. and Dai-ichi Life Group, Inc., with the two companies holding a 70% stake and 30% stake respectively in terms of economic interest.

Indexes and factors are default building blocks for portfolios, yet their labels can hide active design choices—often more “active” than investors expect—and may not lead to better outcomes. In this session, we go beyond the label to examine the good, the bad, and the ugly of indexing. We’ll cut through the “factor zoo” and return to first principles on what truly drives expected returns. We’ll then introduce the Avantis approach: preserving the benefits of indexing—diversification, transparency, and cost discipline—while applying deliberate, systematic active tilts designed to improve expected returns, grounded in academic research, aligned with common sense intuition, and validated empirically. Ultimately, the session highlights why a more intentional, systematic approach—like Avantis—can provide a better way to pursue improved outcomes without giving up the benefits of indexing.

Workshop Objectives: 

Equip participants to spot where “passive” indexing and factor labels can fall short—and show how Avantis aims to offer a better way: keeping the core advantages of indexing while systematically targeting more intentional exposures designed to improve expected returns.

Private markets are becoming an increasingly important component of diversified client portfolios, driven by the search for return, diversification, and differentiated sources of income. This roundtable will begin with a discussion on why private markets matter today and how wealth managers and private banks across the region are thinking about the role of alternatives within client portfolios.
Dan Tapiero will share perspectives on the current private markets landscape today,, the rationale for alternatives in client portfolios, and the practical considerations wealth managers face when implementing private market strategies for their clients. The discussion will then turn to the challenges of access, execution, and scalability—areas where traditional processes often create friction.
Against this backdrop, the session will explore how technology-enabled platforms such as iCapital can support wealth managers in efficiently accessing, implementing, and managing private market investments. By combining technology, education, and operational infrastructure, iCapital helps translate private market intent into executable portfolios at scale.

Workshop Objectives:

To explore why private markets matter, how wealth managers are allocating alternatives in portfolios today, and how technology-enabled platforms like iCapital support scalable access, implementation, and ongoing management.

Company Profile:

iCapital is a global leader shaping the future of investing for financial advisors, wealth managers, asset managers, and other industry participants. Through its end to end platform, iCapital provides a comprehensive solution to access, manage, and integrate non traditional investments across iCapital Marketplace, Enterprise Solutions, and Data Intelligence. The platform supports the full investment lifecycle, making it easier to learn about, buy, manage, and report on alternative assets, structured investments, and annuities at scale.
Backed by strategic investment from leading asset managers, wealth managers, and service providers, iCapital combines advanced technology, data connectivity, education, and research to drive better outcomes. As of February 28, 2026, iCapital services nearly $1.2 trillion in assets globally and supports over 3,300 wealth management firms and 122,000 active financial professionals. Headquartered in New York, iCapital operates globally with major hubs across Europe, Asia, and North America.

Gold has reclaimed centre stage in recent years, delivering strong performance at a time when it matters most. Amid rising inflation, geopolitical tensions, and market volatility, gold's enduring attributes – diversification, liquidity and returns, proved their worth once again. As a time-tested safe haven, gold has demonstrated its ability to weather uncertainty and preserve wealth across generations.
Gain understanding behind gold in this session as we delve into the nuances of the gold market.

Workshop Objectives:

Gain understanding behind gold in this session as we delve into the nuances of the gold market.

Company Profile:

World Gold Council is a market development organization for the gold industry.which champions the role gold plays as a strategic asset, shaping the future of a responsible and accessible gold supply chain. Our team of experts builds understanding of the use case and possibilities of gold through research, analysis, commentary and insights. We drive industry progress, shaping policy and setting the principles for a perpetual and sustainable gold market.