News Release

Carlyle Names Takaya Imai as Senior Advisor

Tokyo, Japan, April 1, 2021 – Global investment firm The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) today announced that Takaya Imai has been appointed as Senior Advisor to the Carlyle Japan advisory team, effective from April 1, 2021.

Mr. Imai will advise the Carlyle Japan team on investment activities, including identifying and assessing new investment opportunities, providing business, operational and industry expertise throughout the investment process, while also advising on the operations and value creation initiatives within Carlyle’s existing portfolio.

Kazuhiro Yamada, Head of the Carlyle Japan advisory team, said, “Mr. Imai has long contributed to the development of Japan's economy and industry over the course of an incredible career at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and from his time working with former Prime Minister Abe. We are delighted to have someone of Mr. Imai’s caliber work with Carlyle; the experience and network he has cultivated over the years will be a great addition as we look to further strengthen our ability to enhance the value of Japanese companies.”

Mr. Imai said, “Carlyle stands out as a pioneer in the private equity industry in Japan, helping numerous Japanese companies to achieve sustainable growth and reach their business ambitions. The depth of industry expertise and operational capabilities within the team is reflected in the trusted partnerships they have built with senior leaders over Carlyle’s 21 year history in Japan. Working closely with the Carlyle team, I look forward to contributing to the firm’s endeavor to continue growing Japanese companies, industries and the economy.”

Mr. Imai served as Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Assistant to Prime Minister Abe during the Abe administration, an advisory role that followed almost three decades at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) where he held various positions focusing on economic, trade, industrial and energy policy. 

Mr. Imai joins a growing team of nine Senior Advisors and Operating Executives supporting the firm in Japan across its core industry groups. To further strengthen the firm’s industry focus, Carlyle has also appointed three of its existing Managing Directors to lead investment activities in each core sector; Reiji Terasaka will lead investments in the General Industries group, Yusuke Watanabe will lead Consumer, Retail & Healthcare investments, and Jumpei Ogura will lead investments in Technology, Media & Telecom. Takaomi Tomioka and Hiroyuki Otsuka continue to hold responsibility for the overall performance of Carlyle Japan as co-Deputy Heads, working closely with Mr. Yamada.

Carlyle has extensive experience supporting Japanese companies in expanding overseas, enhancing operational efficiencies, and strengthening management infrastructure, for both succession planning and carve-out deals. The team has made 27 investments to date and completed 18 exits, eight of which have been through IPO.

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About Carlyle
The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Investment Solutions. With $246 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2020, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. The Carlyle Group employs 1,825 people in 29 offices across five continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow The Carlyle Group on Twitter @OneCarlyle.

Media Contacts:


The Carlyle Group
Annabel Arthur
+852 2878 5239
annabel.arthur@carlyle.com 

Kekst CNC:
Minako Otani
+81 3 5156 0190
minako.otani@kekstcnc.com