Marshall Wace to open Tokyo office in H2 2027

Marshall Wace, the London-based hedge fund and asset manager, is preparing to open an office in Tokyo and expects to start operations in the second half of 2027 if it secures local regulatory approval.

People familiar with the plans said the firm will deploy a compact team of investment professionals to Tokyo as it strengthens its presence in Japan. The firm is working through regulatory steps in Japan; officials did not provide a precise timeline for approvals.

Marshall Wace manages about $90 billion and operates a mix of regional and global investment strategies. The firm has run Japan-focused strategies from its Asia operations for years and established its Hong Kong office in 2006. It also maintains offices in Shanghai and Singapore.

More than 100 of the firm’s roughly 750 employees were based in Asia as of late October 2025, covering both regional and global roles. The Japan-focused investment team, which includes partner Daisuke Iwasaki, is currently based in Hong Kong. Moving some of that investment capability into Tokyo would create a larger on-the-ground presence in Japan.

An onshore Tokyo office would place investment staff closer to Japanese markets and issuers and could support strategies focused on local opportunities.

Marshall Wace declined to comment on the planned Tokyo office, including detailed head count, the allocation of strategies to the new office or the precise regulatory timeline.