Tamotsu Adachi

Tamotsu Adachi is a Senior Advisor to the Japan buyout advisory team. He is based in Tokyo.

From May 2003 until May 2016, Mr. Adachi served as a Head of Carlyle Japan buyout team and led the team to become one of the most successful private equity funds in Japan. He has been widely involved in several transactions in which Carlyle’s funds have invested including the acquisitions of Kito Corporation, Colin Medical Technology, Willcom, Inc., Qualicaps Group, Chimney Co., Ltd., and Tsubaki Nakashima Co., Ltd.

Prior to joining Carlyle, Mr. Adachi served from 1997 to 2003 at General Electric Capital Corporation in a variety of senior capacities, including President and Chief Executive Officer of Japan Auto Lease and Managing Director for New Business Development. From 1988 to 1997, he served in several senior positions at McKinsey & Company, including Partner and Senior Engagement Manager. At McKinsey, Mr. Adachi gained extensive experience in new business development and organizational design, and worked closely with clients in the electronics, multimedia, automobile, and healthcare industries. From 1977 to 1987, he served at Mitsubishi Corporation, where he contributed to the successful launch of DDI, a new telecommunications venture.

Mr. Adachi served as Representative Director and President of Benesse Holdings from October 2016, as President CEO from June 2020, and as Chairman CEO from April 2021 to March 2022.  

He was a Chairman of the Japan Private Equity Association from 2009 to 2011.

Mr. Adachi received his B.S. in engineering at the University of Tokyo and earned his master's in management from MIT's Sloan School.