#Japan #Tokyo #Funds #Trust License #Masa Toshimizu

Funds Corporation's Bold Step Towards Trust License

Funds Corporation, based in Shibuya, Tokyo, has recently announced a pivotal move towards acquiring a trust license. The company has appointed Masa Toshimizu, a former executive vice president at Mizuho Trust Bank, as a full-time director of its subsidiary, Funds Lending, effective July 1, 2026. As the company sets its sights on expanding its financial services, this strategic appointment aims to leverage Toshimizu's extensive expertise in trust products and development.

About Masa Toshimizu

Masa Toshimizu graduated from the University of Tokyo's law faculty in 1992 and began his career at Nihon Kogyo Bank. He transitioned through various entities within Mizuho, including Mizuho Corporate Bank and Mizuho Securities, and ultimately served as executive vice president of Mizuho Trust Bank. There, he excelled in structured product sales and was instrumental in developing trust products tailored for financial institutions facing challenges in acquiring new accounts.

His career milestones include joining the structured products sales department at Mizuho Trust Bank in 2019, where he focused on asset liquidity solutions leveraging money claims trusts. In 2021, he became a managing executive officer, overseeing the development and management of trust products and custodial services both domestically and internationally.

In October 2023, Toshimizu transitioned to Stayway, a fintech startup dedicated to promoting the 'subsidy cloud,' actively working to boost investments and productivity in small-to-medium enterprises through collaboration with financial institutions and government agencies.

Comments from Toshimizu

In his statement regarding his new position, Toshimizu expressed his long-standing concern about Japan's economic stagnation and the vast amount of personal financial assets that remain idle. Stating that over 1,000 trillion yen of personal financial wealth is still held in cash, he emphasized the need for financial education to utilize these resources effectively.

“Japan has the potential to be wealthier. We need to change the flow of capital to increase the overall wealth,” he stated, highlighting the solution that trust can provide in protecting investors and facilitating diverse financial products that meet various needs. The combination of Funds and trust mechanisms will help channel dormant assets into growth investments, thereby contributing to solving societal issues.

Insight from Yuichiro Fujita

Yuichiro Fujita, CEO of Funds Corporation, commented on the significance of Toshimizu’s appointment, acknowledging it as a source of reassurance as the company progresses towards acquiring trust licenses. The current flagship product of Funds utilizes anonymous associations for lending, but the company plans to gradually introduce joint management monetary trusts in the future.

Utilizing the structures provided by trust will enhance investor confidence and help redirect Japan's 1,000 trillion yen in dormant savings into meaningful investments. Moreover, trusts offer solutions not only for asset management but also for broader social issues, such as family wealth management.

After obtaining the trust license, Funds Corporation will explore various business expansion opportunities, aiming to maximize their service's value through trust mechanisms. With Toshimizu at the forefront, the company looks forward to a fruitful future in creating financial solutions that benefit society as a whole.

About Funds Corporation

Funds Corporation is dedicated to changing the flow of capital to increase overall wealth and operates a direct financial platform connecting individual investors with growth businesses. Offering investment opportunities starting from 1 yen in funds issued by growing companies, Funds is committed to direct financing across various asset classes through its subsidiaries, including Funds Real Estate, Funds Startups, and Financial Academy.

For more information about Funds Corporation, visit Funds.