US investment firm Principal Asset Management has tapped Koichiro Maeda from German rival DWS Group as its new head of Japan.
He succeeded Hitoshi Itagaki, who will become chairman of Principal Japan’s board.
“This leadership transition is part of a thoughtful succession plan designed to ensure continuity,” Principal says in a statement on September 16, when the appointment took effect.
Maeda, who was managing director and head of alternative specialist (Asia Pacific) at DWS Japan, has more than 30 years of experience in real estate investment and alternative asset management.
In his new role, he reports to Thomas Cheong, president of Principal Asia Pacific and Middle East.
Iowa-based Principal Asset Management had US$580 billion of assets under management as of June 2025.
