Job Description

Japan Equities Research and Project Manager, APAC Fundamental Hedge Fund

Location - Tokyo, Japan

A leading global investment firm is seeking a highly analytical and independent Research Project Manager to join its investment team in Japan. This role will focus on driving in-depth, on-the-ground research into key sectors of the Japanese market, supporting long-term investment strategies through rigorous analysis and original insight development.

About the Role

As part of a global investment platform, this role serves as a key contributor to the firm’s investment decision-making process. Working closely with the investment team, the Research Project Manager will lead research initiatives that frame complex business challenges, identify investment opportunities, and shape actionable insights. The position offers significant intellectual freedom and impact, as research outcomes directly influence portfolio construction and capital allocation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage research projects on Japanese industries, uncovering long-term investment opportunities

• Frame business problems and develop investment hypotheses in collaboration with the investment team

• Conduct in-depth company and industry analysis, including trend monitoring and risk assessment

• Engage in primary research, including management interviews and on-the-ground diligence across Japan

• Translate complex findings into clear, actionable insights for investment consideration

• Collaborate with local and global team members to develop research methodologies and improve processes

• Contribute to continuous refinement of the firm’s understanding of current and potential portfolio companies

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 5–10 years of experience in management consulting, investment research, or strategic industry roles

• Strong experience leading research initiatives and solving complex business challenges

• Native-level fluency in Japanese and high proficiency in English

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with a creative, hypothesis-driven mindset

• Comfort working independently while collaborating across teams

• Prior experience with market analysis tools (e.g. data mining, survey design, in-depth interviews) preferred

• Financial analysis or valuation modeling skills are a plus, but not required

This is a unique opportunity for a research-oriented professional to contribute meaningfully to long-term investment strategies and play a central role in shaping how a global fund invests in Japan.