UBS Hires Its First Japan ESG Analyst as Investor Demand Rises

UBS Group AG has hired its first Tokyo-based analyst specializing in environment, social and governance topics as global investors seek insights about sustainability issues facing corporate Japan.

Leigha Miyata has recently joined the Swiss bank’s research team in Tokyo from Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., according to an internal memo seen by Bloomberg. Spokesman Tsukasa Noda confirmed the contents of the memo.

“Investors increasingly need to evaluate ESG as part of their investment process, and it’s become imperative to understanding risk for asset prices,” Jaime Manzone and Kenji Yasui, co-heads of research at UBS Securities Japan Co., wrote ...