Daiwa Securities Expands M&A Team Amid Global Ambitions and Domestic Market Upturn

Daiwa Securities Group Inc. has initiated a targeted expansion of its investment banking unit, recruiting 15 new professionals specializing in mergers and acquisitions. The hires, announced in late December 2025, mark a reversal of earlier cost-cutting measures and reflect the firm’s renewed focus on global market competition. The initiative is part of a broader restructuring aimed at enhancing its advisory capabilities ahead of a projected increase in cross-border transactions. The recruitment comes as Japan’s M&A market recorded a 28% year-on-year rise in deal volume during the third quarter of 2025, according to publicly available transaction data. This uptick is driven by corporate restructuring trends, rising investor confidence, and the government’s push to boost shareholder value. Daiwa’s leadership views the domestic momentum as a springboard to attract international clients seeking regional expertise. The firm’s decision underscores a shift in strategy following years of underinvestment relative to regional peers. With its Tokyo headquarters serving as the operational hub, the expanded M&A team is expected to lead advisory mandates in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and infrastructure—areas where Daiwa has gained traction. The team will operate under a newly formed global advisory division, with plans to establish liaison offices in Singapore and London by mid-2026. Market analysts note that Daiwa’s move could influence peer behavior across Japan’s financial sector. If successful, it may catalyze similar hiring across domestic investment banks, especially as global capital flows into Asia intensify. The firm’s stock rose 3.4% in early December trading, reflecting investor optimism over the strategic pivot.