The London Stock Exchange plc (LSE) has signed a shareholders’ agreement with Tokyo Stock Exchange Group, Inc. (TSE), which formalises the funding and governance of the joint venture company to develop Tokyo Aim, a new market for growing companies in Japan and Asia.
TOKYO AIM, Inc. will be owned 51% by TSE and 49% by the London Stock Exchange and will be incorporated and operated in Japan. The London Stock Exchange will invest Yen 980 million in cash (approximately GBP7 million) into TOKYO AIM. This will form 49% of the Yen 2 billion (approximately GBP14 million) gross assets of TOKYO AIM, which will fund the regulatory capital and medium term trading requirements of the company.
TOKYO AIM will combine TSE’s knowledge of the region and the London Stock Exchange’s growth market expertise, enabling it to offer the highly successful AIM model to a wider range of Japan and Asia’s growth companies. This will provide these companies with access to a capital market specifically tailored for their needs and to a wider investor base, while creating new investment opportunities for Japanese and international professional investors.
It is envisaged that TOKYO AIM will commence its operation after receiving its market operator’s licence from the Japanese Financial Services Agency.
David Shrimpton will be Chairman of TOKYO AIM, and Tetsutaro Muraki will be Chief Executive. Marcus Stuttard and Hiroki Kurihara will also be directors of the company.
L.D.