#Japan #Tokyo #Owner's Class #NVIC #Okasan Securities

Establishment of a New Joint Venture: Owner's Class Co., Ltd.

In an exciting development within Japan's financial landscape, the Investment and Advisory Company of the Norinchukin Central Bank Group (referred to as NVIC) and the Okasan Securities Group (hereinafter referred to as both companies) have announced their plans to establish a joint venture named Owner’s Class Co., Ltd., targeted for September 30, 2025. This strategic partnership seeks to promote corporate defined contribution pension plans (DC plans) and address the growing demands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Purpose of the Company Formation

Japan is on a mission to become a nation known for effective asset management, with increasing interest in saving and investment mechanisms like NISA and iDeCo. As a result, the importance of corporate DC plans has garnered significant attention. However, the current implementation of these plans remains underdeveloped, especially among SMEs. To tackle this issue, NVIC, along with its core subsidiary, Okasan Securities Co., Ltd., entered into a business collaboration agreement on May 20, 2024. They aim to roll out their corporate DC plan, dubbed the Owner’s Class Plan (OC Plan), which allows any individual employee to join. This initiative is directed towards supporting various SMEs and organizations linked to the agricultural and marine industries, which have shown a growing interest in the OC Plan.

Joint Venture Overview

Company Name

Owner's Class Co., Ltd.

Location

2-2-3 Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Representatives

Naohide Sakami (President)

Business Scope

Financial Services

Capital Investment

Total investment of 600 million yen (300 million yen as paid-in capital and 300 million yen as capital reserve)

Establishment Date

September 30, 2025

Shareholding Structure

• - NVIC: 60%
• - Okasan Securities Group: 40%

Human Resources Relationship

Multiple employees from both NVIC and Okasan Securities Group will be assigned to the joint venture, either on a dedicated or dual-role basis, ensuring a strong collaborative framework.

Impact on Members and Contributors

It’s important to note that the management structure of the funds entrusted by contributors will remain unchanged, meaning there will be no additional workload imposed on participating businesses. Further details regarding management structure adjustments will be communicated to participating businesses and contributors over time.

Upcoming Schedule

Pending the necessary registrations and approvals from relevant authorities, Owner's Class Co., Ltd. will be engaged in the operational management of the OC Plan in collaboration with Okasan Securities. This timeline is tentative and may be subject to adjustments based on stakeholder coordination:

• - Establishment Date: September 30, 2025
• - Expected Approval Date: Around November 2025
• - Projected Start of Business: Around February 2026

Conclusion

While it is anticipated that this venture will lead to long-term performance improvements for both NVIC and Okasan Securities Group, it is essential to clarify that there are no immediate significant impacts on their current financial results. This initiative is a step towards enhancing the financial landscapes for SMEs and promoting investment culture within Japan's workforce.

About the Companies

• - Norinchukin Central Bank: A financial institution that encompasses various agricultural and fisheries cooperatives across Japan.
• - NVIC: Emphasizes selective long-term investment strategies in its operations.
• - Okasan Securities Group: A holding company specializing in financial services.

For more information on inquiries regarding this partnership, interested parties can reach out to the respective marketing and public relations departments of NVIC and the Okasan Securities Group.