Company Overview

Nomura Holdings, Inc. is a Japan-based global financial services group operating primarily in the investment banking, asset management, and wealth management industries. The company provides a broad range of services including securities brokerage, trading, investment banking advisory, asset and investment management, and related financial solutions. Its core revenue drivers are wholesale financial services, retail and wealth advisory services, and asset management fees derived from institutional and individual clients.

The firm serves institutional investors, corporations, governments, financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals, with a strategic emphasis on connecting Japanese capital markets with global investors. Nomura’s competitive positioning is rooted in its long-standing domestic market leadership, integrated global platform, and balance between stable retail operations and internationally oriented wholesale activities. Founded in 1925 as a spin-off from Osaka Nomura Bank, Nomura evolved from a domestic securities brokerage into Japan’s largest securities firm and expanded globally through organic growth and selective acquisitions, particularly following the global financial crisis.

Business Operations

Nomura operates through three primary business segments: Wealth Management, Investment Management, and Wholesale. Wealth Management focuses on investment consulting, brokerage, and asset allocation services for retail and high-net-worth clients, primarily in Japan. Investment Management, conducted mainly through Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd., generates revenue from management fees across equity, fixed income, and alternative investment products for institutional and retail investors. The Wholesale segment encompasses global markets trading, investment banking advisory, and financing services, serving corporate and institutional clients.

The company conducts both domestic and international operations, with significant overseas activities in trading, investment banking, and asset management. Nomura controls proprietary trading platforms, research capabilities, and risk management systems supporting its capital markets businesses. Key subsidiaries include Nomura Securities Co., Ltd., Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd., and Nomura International plc, which anchor its retail, asset management, and international wholesale operations respectively. Nomura has also maintained strategic partnerships with regional financial institutions to expand distribution and client access.

Strategic Position & Investments

Nomura’s strategic direction emphasizes capital-light businesses, stable fee-based revenue, and disciplined risk management. Growth initiatives include expanding global wealth management, scaling asset management—particularly alternatives and sustainable investments—and selectively strengthening investment banking and markets franchises in core regions. The firm has prioritized improving returns on equity and cost efficiency while maintaining a strong capital base, as outlined in its Form 20-F and investor disclosures.

Historically, Nomura’s most significant acquisition was Lehman Brothers’ Asia-Pacific and EMEA operations, which established its modern global footprint. More recent investments have focused on technology modernization, digital client platforms, and private markets capabilities. Notable subsidiaries and affiliates supporting these strategies include Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd. and Nomura Capital Management, reflecting the firm’s focus on long-term asset growth and diversified investment products. Data on certain minority investments and emerging technology initiatives is inconclusive based on available public sources.

Geographic Footprint

Nomura is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and maintains a substantial presence across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. Its domestic Japanese operations remain the largest contributor to client assets and stable earnings, while international operations are concentrated in major financial centers such as London, New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

The company’s global network supports cross-border capital flows, multinational corporate advisory, and institutional trading. Nomura’s international influence is particularly notable in Asian capital markets and Japan-related equity and fixed income products, where it acts as a key intermediary between domestic issuers and global investors.

Leadership & Governance

Nomura’s leadership emphasizes long-term client relationships, prudent risk management, and global integration balanced with strong regional accountability. The firm operates under a committee-based governance structure consistent with Japanese corporate standards and international regulatory requirements.

Key executives include:

• Kentaro Okuda – President and Chief Executive Officer
• Takumi Kitamura – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
• Christopher Willcox – Head of Wholesale
• Shuhei Abe – Head of Wealth Management
• Yukio Shiga – Chairman of the Board

The leadership team’s strategic vision focuses on sustainable growth, disciplined capital allocation, and reinforcing Nomura’s role as a global financial intermediary with a strong Japanese foundation.