
Overview
This strategy seeks to generate returns by detecting mid-to-long term trends, typically associated with changes in society and industry, and capturing investment opportunities ahead of the curve. The strategy identifies investment themes typically around social/industrial changes, and then selects stocks which benefit from those themes.
Manager and Analysts

Katsunori Ogawa joined the firm in 1994. He was appointed as a client relationship manager for public pension funds in 1997.
Katsunori Ogawa joined the firm in 1994. He was appointed as a client relationship manager for public pension funds in 1997.
In 2002, Katsunori became a portfolio manager of a Japanese equities active strategy. He applies a thematic/top-down approach in addition to bottom-up stock picking to generate alpha on a constant basis. He is one of the first investors to capture Asian (especially Chinese) consumer’s demand for Japanese consumer durable goods and was an early investor in companies like Unicharm (a paper nappy maker) and Yakult (lactic fermenting beverages maker).
Katsunori received a BA in economics from Keio University. He is a Chartered Member of the Securities Analysts Association of Japan (CMA) and a Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA).

Kazunaga is a Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for Japanese equity active strategy.
Kazunaga is a Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for Japanese equity active strategy. He joined the firm as a Japanese and global equity research analyst in 2020. Prior to joining SuMi Trust AM, he worked at another Tokyo-based asset management company as a global equity portfolio manager and analyst for 5 years. Kazunaga received a BA in Commerce from Hitotsubashi University. He is a CFA® charter holder and a Certified Member Analyst of the Securities Analysts Association of Japan (CMA).

Masahito Kondo joined the firm as a Japanese equity research analyst in 2007. He became a portfolio manager of a Japanese equity active strategy in July 2018 and joined the Sakigake team in November 2021.
Masahito Kondo joined the firm as a Japanese equity research analyst in 2007. Prior to joining, he worked at a securities company as a Japanese equity strategist. As a research analyst at SuMi TRUST, he covered various industries including the mining and petroleum refinery, electricity and gas, food and beverage (including cigarettes), toiletry product, retail industry and pharmacy.
He became a portfolio manager of a Japanese equity active strategy in July 2018 and joined the Sakigake team in November 2021.
Masahito received a BA in business and commerce from Keio University. He is a Certified Member Analyst of the Securities Analysts Association of Japan (CMA), a Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA), and a Certified Financial Technician (CFTe®).

Tatsuya Eguchi joined Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management in 2023 as a member of the Quantitative Equity Team, before joining the Japan Equity Team in May 2024.
Tatsuya Eguchi joined Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management in 2023 as a member of the Quantitative Equity Team, before joining the Japan Equity Team in May 2024. He began his career in asset management in 2020 when he joined Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, where he was responsible for client relationship management for educational and financial institutions.
He received a BA in Economics from the University of Tokyo and is a Certified Member Analyst of the Securities Analysts Association of Japan (CMA).