Bermuda’s Apex Fund Services has become the first independent fund administrator to enter the Japanese market.

This after the opening of its Tokyo office.

With 34 international offices now, Apex said it will roll out and make available its entire range of fund administration services to fund managers located in Japan.

In addition to Japanese fund managers, Apex will also open up Japanese investment opportunities to overseas managers and investors who will be able to leverage Apex’s transparent and secure infrastructure to access the local market, Apex said in a statement.

The Apex Japan office will be run by Hideki Hashiguchi.

Before joining Apex, he worked with HSBC, Credit Suisse and BNYM in Japan as the representative director and head of business development of alternative fund services.

Apex said Mr Hashiguchi has played a key role in the development of the fund industry in Japan having been appointed as Chairman of AIMA Japan between 2007 until 2009.

Peter Hughes, group managing director of Apex, the world’s largest independent fund administrator, commented: “Recent changes in the political environment have led to looser financial monetary policy which in turn has attracted the attention of the global investment community. Japan is a jurisdiction where cultural understanding and long-term business relationships are essential and Apex’s latest office reflects our commitment to this new market.”

He continued: “Apex has a track record of regularly being the first independent fund administrator to locate in financial centres that haven’t historically been serviced locally.

“Japanese fund managers have been relatively overlooked over the last 20 years by international fund servicing organisations and ‘Abenomics’ have firmly put them back on the industry’s radar.”

Mr Hashiguchi, managing director, Apex Fund Services (Japan) said: “This is an ideal time for Apex to set up an office in Japan.

“We believe that Apex’s value added services will be recognised and well received by the fund management industry in Japan. Apex’s presence and ongoing contribution to the Japanese funds industry will be a new dynamic to our global presence.”

Apex, which was founded in Bermuda and has about 25 people in its Bermuda office, has more than $25 billion under administration.