Team with experience and expertise
“Whizzo” specialists with proven track records have got together to form Whiz Partners Inc. By uniting its members’ experience and expertise, Whiz Partners will develop and implement innovative, feasible investment strategies.
Investment Team
Atsushi MatsumuraPresident & CEO, Member of the Board
- 2021
- President & CEO Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2010
- Founder, Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2008
- Representative Director, Quiet Partners Inc.
- 2003
- Co-Head of Corporate Finance, Nomura International Plc.
- 1986
- Nomura Securities Co.,Ltd.
Satoru IinoCOO and Co-CIO, Member of the Board
- 2021
- Member of the board, COO, Co-CIO Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2015
- Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2010
- Managing Director, Whiz Partners, Inc.
- 2004
- Board Member, CSK Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.
- 2000
- CSK Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.
- 1989
- Hitachi, Ltd.
Tomoyuki FujisawaCIO and Co-COO, Member of the Board
- 2021
- Member of the board, CIO, Co-COO Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2012
- Managing Director, Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2011
- Senior Director, Research Alliance Office, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.(“Takeda”)
- 2008
- Senior Director, Global Licensing and Business Development, Takeda
- 2005
- Senior Manager , Global Licensing and Business Development, Takeda
- 2002
- Manger, Scientific Evaluation, Takeda Venture Inc. (USA)
- 1992
- Researcher, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda
Masayuki IiPhD, Chief Scientific Officer
- 2022
- CSO, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2022
- CSO & Head, Applied Regulatory Science, Axcelead DDP. (to present)
- 2017
- Head, Integrated Biology, Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners, Inc.(Axcelead DDP)
- 2012
- Head, Inflammation Drug Discovery Unit, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda
- 2008
- Associate Director, Global Research Management Office, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda
- 2006
- Senior Research Manager, Takeda Global Research and Development Center (US)
- 2004
- Associate Director, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda
- 2003
- Visiting Scientist, Immunology, The Scripps Research Institute (US)
- 1990
- Research Scientist, Research and Development Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“Takeda”)
Hiroshi TakedaManaging Director
- 2021
- Managing Director, Whiz Partners Inc.(to present)
- 2016
- Director, Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2014
- Manager, REANDA INTERNATIONAL LLKG
- 2011
- Mirai Consulting Inc.
- 2009
- Executive Officer, RH Traveler Corp.
- 2007
- CEO, Asian Eight Corp.
- 2007
- Head of business strategy division, Red Horse Corporation
- 2000
- Takihyo Co., Ltd.
Shinya KadaManaging Director
- 2021
- Managing Director, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2021
- Chairman, Tokai Tokyo Asset Management Co.,Ltd.
- 2019
- President, Tokai Tokyo Asset Management Co., Ltd.
- 2018
- Executive operating officer, Tokai Tokyo Securities Co., Ltd.
- 2016
- Member of the board, CIO of All Nippon Asset Management Co., Ltd.
- 2015
- Advisor, Tokai Tokyo Financial Holdings, Co., Ltd.
- 2013
- Member of the board, CIO of MUFJ Asset Management co.,Ltd.
- 2011
- Vice President, The Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Investment Technology Institute
- 2007
- Executive Officer of Bond Department and Asset Management Department Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Co., Ltd.
- 2002
- Director of Asset Management, UFJ Trust and Banking Co., Ltd.
- 1980
- Toyo Trust and Banking Co., Ltd. New York branch, London Subsidiaries
Yuki HasegawaPh.D. Head of Healthcare Investment
- 2021
- Head of Healthcare Investment, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2019
- Director, Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2016
- Associate Director, Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2014
- Researcher , Asahi KASEI
- 2013
- Deputy Team Leader, Center for Life Science Technologies,RIKEN
- 2010
- Research Scientist, Omics Science Center, RIKEN, Visiting Assistant Professor, YCU
- 2008
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Omics Science Center,RIKEN
- 2007
- Researcher, Genome Science Center, RIKEN
Takahiro SuzukiPh.D. Director
- 2022
- Director, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2022
- Visiting Senior Scientist, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (to present)
- 2019
- Visiting Associate Professor, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University (to present)
- 2019
- Senior Research Scientist, RIKEN Integrative Medical Sciences
- 2012
- Research Scientist, RIKEN Omics Science Center
- 2009
- Research Fellow, RIKEN Omics Science center
- 2003
- Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Senior Master Sergeant
Yuto SasakiDirector
- 2022
- Director, Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2019
- Sales Manager ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
- 2004
- Joined ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Eri YokotaCreative Director, Public Relations
- 2023
- Creative Director, PR, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2021
- PR/IR, Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2016
- Associate, Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2005
- SP/ PR Manager, Cold Stone Creamery Japan
- 2003
- Investment Associate, Kiacon Inc.
- 2001
- Sales Associate, Nomura Scurities Co, Ltd.
Member of The Board
Toshio AndoChairman, Member of the board
- 2021
- Chairman, Member of the board (to present)
- 2011
- Founder, Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2006
- Chairman, Japan Securities Dealers Association Adviser, Nomura Asset Management Co.,Ltd.
- 2003
- Chairman, The Investment Trusts Association, Japan
- 2002
- Chairman and Representative Executive Officer, Nomura Asset Management Co.,Ltd.
- 2001
- Director and Member of the Board, Nomura Holdings, Inc.
- 2000
- Executive Managing Director, Nomura Securities Co.,Ltd.
Global Fixed Income Team
Naoki IwamiCIO of Global fixed Income Investment
- 2013
- CIO of Global fixed Income Investment, Whiz Parters Inc. (to present)
- 2012
- Managing Director, Millennium Capital Management Asia Ltd.
- 2011
- Managing Director, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Tokyo Branch
- 2002
- Chief Investment Officer, Nomura Asset Management Co.,Ltd.
- 1998
- Member of Singapore Foreign Exchange Market Committee, The Industrial Bank of Japan, Ltd.
- 1992
- Head of USA Fixed Income Investment, The Industrial Bank of Japan, Ltd.
- 1981
- The Industrial Bank of Japan, Ltd.
Hiroshi FujiotoManaging Director
- 2017
- Managing Director, Whiz Partners Inc.(to present)
- 2008
- Executive Portfolio Manager, DIAM Co.,Ltd.
- 1998
- Head of currency options, The Industrial Bank of Japan, Ltd.
- 1983
- The Industrial Bank of Japan, Ltd.
Transaction Management
Tatsuya YamadaGeneral manager transaction management division
- 2021
- General manager transaction management division (to present)
- 2014
- Director, Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2012
- Associate Director, Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2010
- Associate, Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2009
- Joined CSK Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.
- 2008
- Joined CSK Institute for Sustainability, Ltd.
- 2004
- Manager, Medical Project Department, Link Consulting Associates Japan Corporation
- 2003
- Joined Link Consulting Associates Japan Corporation
Compliance
Kenji KitagawaChief Compliance Officer, Member of the Board
- 2022
- Chief Compliance Officer, Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2014
- Senior Managing Director, Head of Corporate Division, Head of Risk Management Division, Chief Risk Officer, Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd.
- 2013
- Senior Managing Director, Head of Corporate Division, Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd.
- 2010
- Chief Compliance Officer, Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd.
- 2009
- Head of Legal & Compliance Dept. Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd.
- 2007
- Legal & Compliance Dept. Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd.
- 1995
- Manager, Corporate Planning Dept. Nomura Securities Co., Ltd.
- 1988
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Law
- 1984
- Nomura Securities Co., Ltd.
Administration
Junichi KajimotoFounder, Chief Financial Officer, Member of the Board
- 2010
- Chief Financial Officer, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2004
- Member of the Board, Quiet Partners Inc.
- 2000
- Accounting General, Administration Department, Faith, Inc.
- 1995
- Toshiba Plant Kensetsu Co., Ltd. (current Toshiba Plant Systems & Services Corporation)
Takashi YamaguchiGeneral Manager, Administration dept.
- 2021
- General Manager, Administration dept. Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2011
- Administration Manager, Whiz Partners Inc.
- 2010
- General Manager, Administration dept. CSK Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.
- 1997
- Legal Manager, Administration Development dept. CSK Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.
- 1995
- Investment Development dept. CSK Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.
Takeshi YamauchiAdministration Manager
- 2021
- Administration Manager, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2016
- Head of Administration group, Asset Management One Co.,Ltd.
- 2015
- Senior Executive Officer, Deputy Head of Planning Group, Mizuho Asset Management Co., Ltd.
- 2010
- Executive officer, General Manager of HR Department, Mizuho Asset Management Co., Ltd
- 2007
- General Manager of Investment risk management Department, Mizuho Asset Management Co., Ltd.
- 2006
- General Manager of Compliance Department, Daiichi Kangyo Asset Management Co.,Ltd.
- 2004
- General Manager of Investment Planning Department, Daiichi Kangyo Asset Management Co.,Ltd.
- 1987
- Equity Analyst, Portfolio manager, Asahi Investment Trust Management Co.,Ltd.
Tomoko NishidaAccounting Manager
- 2010
- Accounting Manager, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2004
- CSK Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.
Noriko MizusawaSecretary Manager
- 2010
- Secretary Manager, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2002
- Manager, Enright Real Estate Co., Japan Ltd.
Auditor
Tetsuya KawakamiFull-time Auditor
- 2015
- Auditor, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2011
- President of Industry-Academia Joint Committee on Highly Qualified Human Resources in Finance
- 2009
- Visiting Professor, Kwansei Gakuin University Graduate School of Business Strategic Studies
- 2009
- Auditor – Secretary of the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management
- 2007
- Principal of Panasonic Accounting University Kansai Economic Federation councilor
- 2007
- CFO Association Japan director
- 2006
- Executive Vice President of Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Ltd.(current Panasonic Corporation )
Takashi EjiriAuditor
- 2017
- Senior Partner, ITN Partners (to present)
- 2015
- Member of the board, Whiz Partners (to present)
- 2007
- Founding Partner, Nishimura Asahi LPC
- 2005
- Auditor of The SBI Children’s Hope Foundation
- 1995
- Secretary General of Inter-Pacific Bar Association
- 1986
- Japan Federation of Bar Associations (served as Vice-Chairman, International Relations Committee)
- 1977
- Establish Masuda and Ejiri Law Office
- 1969
- Certified as an attorney
Tatsuya NakajimaAuditor (Certified Public Accountant)
- 2023
- TAIHO PHARMACEUTICAL CO.,LTD. (to present)
- 2021
- Auditor, Whiz Partners Inc. (to present)
- 2020
- Auditor CBC Co.,Ltd. (to present)
- 2020
- President, Tatsuya Nakajima CPA Office (to present)
- 2016
- Serve concurrently in Audit & Assurance Services Division, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC and Internal Audit Office, Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC
- 2007
- Partner, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC
- 1995
- Registration of Certified Public Accountant
- 1990
- Joined to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC
Medical Advisor

Sahohime MatsumotoM.D.
License
Japanese Board Certification of Internal Medicine
Board Certified Member of The Japanese Circulation Society
History
- 2016
- Opened Matsumoto Medical Clinic (to present, concurrent)
- 2015
- Medical Advisor in WHIZ PARTNERS (to present)
- 2009
- Project Assistant Professor, University of Tokyo Hospital
- 2006
- Research Fellowship for Young Scientists, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- 2002
- University of Tokyo Hospital
Doctoral Course, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo - 2000
- Mitsui Memorial Hotel
- 1999
- Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Medicine
University of Tokyo Hospital

Toru HosadaM.D.
License
- 1994
- Japanese National Board of Medicine
- 2003
- Japanese Board Certification of Internal Medicine
History
- 2019
- Director of General Medicine, Sakakibara Heart Institute (to present)
- 2016
- Medical Advisor in WHIZ PARTNERS (to present, concurrent)
- 2011
- Associate Professor of Institute of Innovative Science and Technology, Tokai University
- 2010
- Assistant Professor of Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- 2005
- Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, New York Medical College
- 2003
- Lecturer of Clinical Bioinformatics, the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine
- 2000
- PhD from the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine
- 1994
- Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Medicine
Mikiko HiraokaM.D.
License
- 2016
- Japanese National Board of Medicine
- 2022
- Japanese Board of Anti-aging Medicine
- 2023
- Japanese Board of Dermatology
History
- 2023
- Medical Advisor in WHIZ PARTNERS (to present)
- 2021
- Toranomon Hospital
- 2020
- The University of Tokyo Hospital
- 2016
- Japanese Red Cross Medical Center
- 2016
- Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Medicine