Blackstone Adds Former MUFG Bank Exec as Vice Chairman of Japan

With Japan continuing to be a top target for international investors, Blackstone has added to its top leadership in the country, according to a statement this week.

Muneya Taniguchi, formerly deputy president of Tokyo-based MUFG Bank, has joined the private equity giant as vice chairman for Japan and executive advisor, Blackstone said on Tuesday, pointing to the hire as enabling further growth in Asia’s second largest economy.

“We are pleased to welcome industry veteran Muneya to our Blackstone Japan team,” Atsuhiko Sakamoto, head of private equity for Blackstone Japan said. “His expertise will be invaluable as we continue to expand our presence in the market and stay differentiated through our scale and partnerships. We are coming on the heels of our most active year in Japan across businesses, investing in fantastic businesses and assets and delivering for investors.”

Blackstone ranked as the biggest buyer of income-earning real estate in Japan during the first quarter, according to MSCI, following up an active 2024 with the $2.6 billion purchase of a Tokyo mixed-use complex and a buy of a pair of Okinawa hotels for around $130 million.

MUFJ Veteran

Taniguchi’s responsibilities will primarily focus on western Japan, Blackstone said in the statement, with the southwestern city of Fukuoka having been the site of a number of cross-border property investments in the past year. 

Before joining Blackstone Taniguchi had served as deputy president of MUFG Bank from April 2021 through June 2021 after working as managing executive officer and later senior managing executive officer with the Japanese lending giant from 2018 through 2021. 

Taniguchi had served as deputy chairman of Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Holdings through March of this year. 

Japan Focus

Blackstone is adding Taniguchi to its team as the country’s reforming markets and low borrowing costs have made Japan a key market for global investors.

“Japan is an integral part of Blackstone’s global business and a key driver of our growth,” Sakamoto said. He added that, “His (Taniguchi’s) expertise will be invaluable as we continue to expand our presence in the market and stay differentiated through our scale and partnerships. We are coming on the heels of our most active year in Japan across businesses, investing in fantastic businesses and assets and delivering for investors.”

Blackstone’s first quarter acquisitions contributed to $11 billion in acquisitions of income-earning Japanese properties in the first quarter, which ranked the country first among Asia Pacific investment markets, according to MSCI Real Assets. 

The private equity firm led by tycoon Stephen Schwarzman agreed in December to buy the Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho complex from Seibu Holdings with that $2.6 billion transaction ranking as the biggest Japanese real estate acquisition ever by a foreign investor.

Just days later Blackstone announced its deal to acquire the Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa and the Kanehide Kise Beach Palace from local conglomerate Kanehide Holdings.

The US company has also been active in Japanese corporate buyouts, agreeing last year to acquire digital anime firm Infocom for $1.7 billion before later renaming the company as Amutus. In late 2023 Blackstone agreed to acquire a majority stake in online payment provider Sony Payment Services for around $280 million.