Izawa joins BlackRock from Japan Post Bank, where he was president and CEO for more than five years, leading a 13,500-strong team managing US$1.7 trillion in assets.

 

He had a distinguished 38-year career with Mitsui & Co, where his most recent roles were as representative director and member of the board, senior executive managing officer and chairman of the Investment Committee. In addition, he held senior leadership positions in Mitsui’s US and Europe regions.

 

“We are delighted to welcome Izawa to BlackRock as chairman of our Japanese business," said Laurence Fink, chairman and CEO of BlackRock. “The hiring of an executive of Izawa’s caliber reflects our deep commitment to Japan and our strong conviction about the nation’s future. We believe that the government’s continuing reform agenda and the reinvigorated corporate sector offer significant opportunity. We are eager to work with our clients and others across Japan to realize that opportunity and to help them achieve better financial futures.”

 

BlackRock Asia Pacific chairman Ryan Stork says Izawa brings an exceptional blend of 40 years of financial industry and business sector leadership experience to the role. His insights and knowledge mean he is ideally placed to represent the firm’s Japan capabilities across our global and local client base, and to further develop and execute our long-term business strategy in this market. Izawa will represent BlackRock at the most senior level with clients, government entities and other institutions.”

 

Izawa will report to Stork and join BlackRock’s Asia Pacific executive committee. His appointment follows Masato Degawa’s decision to retire as BlackRock president and country head of Japan. He plans to return to London to rejoin his family, which resided there during his four-plus-year tenure in Tokyo.