Citigroup is bullish on the Japanese trading boom and plans to expand its investment banking team.

Makoto Fukuda, Vice President of Citibank Japan, stated that the bank plans to expand its department by approximately 30% by the first half of 2026, but he refused to disclose the specific number of employees. With the advancement of corporate governance reforms, Japanese executives and directors are becoming increasingly sensitive to shareholder demands, and Japanese companies are becoming more open to transactions. Some companies are divesting non-core assets, while others are seeking overseas growth opportunities through acquisitions. Hostile takeovers are no longer taboo, and private equity funds and activist investors are playing an increasingly important role.