Principal Asset Management has announced the appointment of Koichiro Maeda as head of Japan, effective 16 September 2025.

Based in Tokyo, Maeda (pictured) will oversee Principal’s strategic growth and client engagement in Japan, reporting directly to Thomas Cheong, president of Principal Asia Pacific & Middle East, according to a statement by the asset manager.

Maeda has more than three decades of experience in real estate investment, alternative asset management, and investment banking. He joins Principal from DWS Group, where he was most recently managing director and head of alternatives specialists (Asia-Pacific), and executive officer of DWS Japan. His career includes leadership roles at Mitsui Fudosan, Morgan Stanley, and PGIM.

Maeda succeeds Hitoshi Itagaki, who will take on the role of chairman of Principal Japan’s board of directors. Itagaki has led Principal Asset Management Japan since 2007.

“We are excited to welcome Koichiro to Principal and confident that his deep institutional relationships and strategic mindset will help us grow in this key market,” said Thomas Cheong. “We also extend our deepest appreciation to Hitoshi for his outstanding leadership and continued guidance in his new role.”