Barclays Taps Hiroshi Minoura to Lead Cross-Border M&A Drive in Japan

On December 29, 2025 Barclays announced that Hiroshi Minoura would assume the role of Chairman of Investment Banking in Japan. In this capacity Minoura will lead strategy for major transactions, cross-border M&A, client expansion and deepening relationships, aligning Japan’s IBK business with global priorities. [1][2]

Minoura’s appointment is notable not just for its formalization of leadership but also its timing. He has served as Senior Advisor since July 2024, becoming well embedded in Barclays’ Japan investment banking operations. His four decades of experience—including nearly four decades at SMBC in senior domestic and international roles, and advisory work at BofA Securities Japan—equip him with deep local knowledge, networks, and credibility. [1][2]

This leadership change is clearly situated within a context of surging M&A activity in Japan. First-half 2025 deal value involving Japanese companies reached USD 232 billion, a new record, with outbound deals totaling about USD 70.7 billion—nearly twice the year-ago figure. [5][6] These trends are powered by low interest rates, a weak yen, corporate governance reforms urging capital efficiency, growing private equity presence, and increased appetite for both inbound investment and take-private transactions. [5][6]

For Barclays, strategic implications include potential for market share gains in cross-border advisory and execution, especially in complex inbound/outbound, take-private, PE-led transactions. Minoura’s deep experience may help negotiate regulatory nuance and cultural expectations, which are highly salient in Japan. However challenges loom: established domestic banks and securities firms remain strong competitors; regulatory developments—especially in foreign takeover guidelines—could affect deal likelihood; and scaling execution, international coordination, and resourcing will be critical to match the rising deal pipeline. [1][4][5]