About the Opportunity
We are partnering with a leading Japan-focused investment management firm renowned for its deep fundamental research and disciplined long-term approach to equity investing.
The team manages concentrated, high-conviction portfolios across mid to small-cap Japanese companies, identifying underappreciated value through on-the-ground insights, management engagement, and rigorous bottom-up analysis.
This opportunity is ideal for an analytically sharp, bilingual professional who wants to immerse themselves in the Japanese equity markets, develop direct relationships with company management teams, and contribute to active investment decisions within a buy-side environment.
The Role
As a Research Assistant, you will work directly with Portfolio Managers and Senior Analysts across the full investment process — from idea generation and financial modelling to valuation, monitoring, and thesis refinement.
While the title is “Assistant”, this role operates within a lean team structure and carries responsibilities typically associated with an Analyst / Associate-level position. You will be expected to take ownership of research outputs and contribute actively to investment discussions rather than provide purely administrative support.
This is a highly visible role within a flat and collaborative investment culture, offering a strong platform to develop sector expertise and grow into a decision-making position over time.
Key Responsibilities- Conduct in-depth fundamental research on listed Japanese companies across assigned sectors (e.g., Industrials, Consumer, Technology).
- Build and maintain detailed financial models to assess earnings drivers, valuation, and business fundamentals.
- Perform company due diligence, including attending management meetings, industry conferences, and site visits.
- Monitor macroeconomic, industry, and policy developments that impact Japanese equities.
- Prepare investment theses, presentations, and reports for internal investment committees.
- Collaborate closely with the trading and operations teams to support efficient portfolio execution and monitoring.
- Contribute to periodic investor updates and performance analyses, as needed.
- Experience: 1–4 years in equity research, investment banking, consulting, or a related analytical field. Candidates with relevant internships or strong academic backgrounds will also be considered.
- Language: Native or business-level Japanese (JLPT N1); strong English communication skills required.
- Education: Degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or a quantitative discipline.
- Skills: Strong financial modelling, valuation, and analytical skills. Familiarity with Bloomberg, FactSet, or similar research tools is advantageous.
- Traits: Intellectually curious, detail-oriented, and self-driven with a genuine passion for understanding businesses and markets.
- Work directly with portfolio managers and decision-makers in a true buy-side environment.
- Gain exposure to cross-sector Japanese equities and direct access to management teams.
- Join a flat, meritocratic culture that values research depth and independent thinking.
- Build a long-term career path with mentorship and progressive responsibility.
We are exclusively representing this search.
For a confidential discussion about this opportunity and insights into the firm’s culture and investment philosophy, please reach out to us directly.
