Tokyo - Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group today announced that effective November 1st Masao Hirano will join to co-head its Japan Buyout team with Tamotsu Adachi. The firm also announced that effective October 1st Takeshi Isayama will become Chairman of Carlyle Japan.

Mr. Hirano is currently a Director at McKinsey & Company and has extensive experience in corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions and organizational development. He brings a wealth of insight across a range of industries including high technology, telecommunications, media, finance, pharmaceuticals and consumer. Mr. Hirano served as President of McKinsey & Company Japan for more than eight years, leading more than 200 consultants.

Mr. Isayama joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, METI) in 1967 and served in a number of senior positions, including Director-General of International Trade Policy Bureau. He was instrumental in resolving many major economic and trade issues between Japan and the U.S. Since retiring from the government, he served as Vice Chairman of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Messrs. Adachi and Hirano will work together to oversee and manage the firm’s buyout investments in Japan. As Chairman of Carlyle Japan, Mr. Isayama will strengthen and expand Carlyle’s relations with the top management of Japanese companies, leaving the day-to-day fund management to Messrs. Adachi and Hirano.

Tamotsu Adachi, Managing Director and Head of Japan Buyout said, “We expect the Japan buyout market will continue its growth trajectory. In July last year Carlyle closed its second buyout fund, a ¥215.6 billion Japan-dedicated fund that is four times larger than the previous fund. We have also grown our investment team accordingly.

“To capitalize on these growing opportunities, I have invited Mr. Hirano and Mr. Isayama to join the firm. They will provide strong access to management of potential portfolio companies as well as unique value to our portfolio companies, including our support of their global expansion. Carlyle will benefit significantly from Mr. Hirano’s 20 years of consulting experience during which he built up an extensive network of relationships, industry knowledge and insight. Together with Mr. Isayama’s public and private sector credentials, these two senior additions will set us apart from our competitors,” added Mr. Adachi.