Japan Search Fund to Co-Host "Search Fund Summit 2026" with The Financial Affairs Research Institute

Japan Search Fund Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, J-Search / Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo / Representative Director and President: Masahiko Otsuki / https://j-search.co.jp), a consolidated sub-subsidiary of Japan M&A Center Holdings Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, the Company / Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo / Representative Director and President: Taku Miyake), will co-host the "Search Fund Summit 2026" with The Financial Affairs Research Institute (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo / Chairman: Kazuhiro Kato) for the first time, starting at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, May 20th.

[Purpose of J-Search Search Fund Summit 2026]

A search fund is an investment mechanism where individuals aspiring to become business leaders (searchers) seek out target companies for investment and personally engage in the management of the successor company. In recent years, its importance has been increasing from the perspective of regional revitalization and entrepreneur support. This event will explore new possibilities for business succession and regional revitalization through search funds.

In the first part, Mr. Koji Ono, Director of the Second Banking Division, Supervisory Bureau, Financial Services Agency, will deliver a keynote speech. In addition, Masahiko Otsuki, Representative Director and President of J-Search, will introduce J-Search's initiatives to establish and operate search funds that meet regional needs through collaboration with regional financial institutions, under the title "Promoting Regional Revitalization through Search Funds in Collaboration with Regional Financial Institutions."

The second part will feature a panel discussion titled "The Role of Financial Institutions in the Era of Great Business Succession in Regions ~Utilization of Search Funds in Regional Revitalization and the Direction Financial Institutions Should Aim For~". Mr. Yoshihisa Kasahara, Representative Director and President of Kyushu Financial Group Co., Ltd., and Mr. Naoki Ikeda, Representative Director and President of Juroku Financial Group Co., Ltd., will participate. Taku Miyake, Representative Director and President of the Company, will serve as the facilitator.

[Event Outline]

Search Fund Summit 2026

~Utilization of Search Funds in Regional Revitalization and the Direction Financial Institutions Should Aim For~

■Date and Time: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 14:00-16:00 (Reception 13:30)

■Venue: Imperial Hotel Main Building 2F "Kujaku-no-Ma" (1-1-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) *Online streaming available

■Organizer: Japan Search Fund Co., Ltd. (J-Search)

■Co-organizer: The Financial Affairs Research Institute

■Participation Fee: Free

■Capacity: 80 people (first-come, first-served basis)

[Program]

・Opening Remarks: Kazuhiro Kato, Chairman, The Financial Affairs Research Institute

・Keynote Speech: Koji Ono, Director of the Second Banking Division, Supervisory Bureau, Financial Services Agency

・Lecture: Masahiko Otsuki, Representative Director and President, Japan Search Fund Co., Ltd.

・Panel Discussion

Yoshihisa Kasahara, Representative Director and President, Kyushu Financial Group Co., Ltd. / Representative Director and President, Higo Bank, Ltd.

Naoki Ikeda, Representative Director and President, Juroku Financial Group Co., Ltd.

Taku Miyake, Representative Director and President, Japan M&A Center Holdings Co., Ltd.

[Application]

Please apply from the URL below:

https://www.nihon-ma.co.jp/page/seminar/search-fund-2605/

[About Japan Search Fund Co., Ltd. (J-Search)]

Established in October 2024 as an operating company for regionally specialized search funds in collaboration with regional financial institutions. J-Search develops search funds in collaboration with financial institutions nationwide, providing opportunities for talented individuals to become business leaders in local areas, thereby contributing to the growth of regional SMEs, solving business succession issues, and ultimately strengthening the competitiveness of Japanese companies.

[Japan M&A Center Holdings Co., Ltd. (TSE Prime: 2127)]

Company Name: Japan M&A Center Holdings Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tekko Building 24F, 1-8-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities: Management of group companies, etc.

Established: April 1991

Locations: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Okinawa, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand (including local subsidiaries and bases of Japan M&A Center, a consolidated subsidiary)

[Contact for this matter]

Japan M&A Center Holdings Co., Ltd. Public Relations Department pr@nihon-ma.co.jp