It all began with a simple question—why alternative investments are gaining momentum in Japan? That curiosity sparked my journey toward the CAIA Charter. Over the past two decades, I have worked at Japanese, U.S., and Swiss asset management firms, gaining broad experience spanning the front, middle, and back offices across trading, risk management, and performance analysis. These experiences have revealed the increasing sophistication of investor needs and the growing demand for opportunities that traditional asset classes alone can no longer satisfy.
The CAIA Program has provided me with a well-structured and holistic understanding of alternative investments—encompassing not only asset classes such as private equity, infrastructure, real estate, hedge funds, and digital assets, but also strategies including long/short, market neutral, global macro, event-driven, and arbitrage. This knowledge has become a solid foundation for earning and sustaining the trust of asset owners in an evolving investment landscape.
Building on this foundation, my current professional focus lies in performance and data analysis, where technology plays an increasingly critical role. I am particularly interested in how generative AI and alternative data can be leveraged to enhance analytical precision, operational efficiency, and strategic insight. I believe these innovations will continue to redefine the landscape of alternative investments, and I find great value in engaging with the CAIA community to exchange global perspectives and insights on these developments.
In addition to my work in asset management, I serve as a part-time lecturer at a Japanese university to promote financial literacy. Coaching allows me to share the essence of investing with the next generation and explore how complex financial concepts can be conveyed with clarity and purpose. This is especially meaningful in Japan, where a shift from saving to investing is gaining momentum and financial education is seen as key to sustainable prosperity in an aging society. Ultimately, these experiences reaffirm that knowledge finds meaning only when put into practice with integrity.
In Bushido: The Soul of Japan, written in the late 19th century by Inazo Nitobe to introduce the ethical foundations of the samurai spirit to the world, he wrote: “Knowledge was not pursued as an end in itself, but as a means to the attainment of wisdom.” Nitobe’s words remind us that knowledge itself is not the destination but the path to wisdom—one that guides sound judgment, ethical conduct, and meaningful contribution in today’s VUCA world. As financial professionals, we strive to keep learning, questioning, and acting with purpose—so that our collective wisdom may truly benefit the people we serve.
About Masayuki Murakami, CAIA, CFA, CPA:
Masayuki is a Vice President at a global asset management firm founded and headquartered in Japan, dedicated to empowering individual and institutional investors worldwide to achieve their financial goals. He earned his MBA from the Graduate School of Management at Kyoto University and, in addition to being a CFA charterholder, holds a CPA license issued by the Washington State Board of Accountancy. Masayuki has also been a member of the CAIA Association since 2025.