Yasuharu Yoneda

General Manager, Americas Division

The Industrial Bank of Japan, Limited

Mr. Yasuharu Yoneda is General Manager of the Americas Division of the Industrial Bank of Japan, Limited ("IBJ"). IBJ is in the process of the consolidation with the Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank, Ltd. and the Fuji Bank, Ltd. to form "Mizuho Financial Group," which will be the largest financial group in the world. On September 29, 2000, a holding company called, "Mizuho Holdings, Inc." was established, and the three banks have been reorganized as its subsidiaries.

Joining IBJ in April 1975, Mr. Yoneda was initially assigned to the Personnel Department where he was in charge of personnel matters related to IBJ’s international offices and recruiting new employees for IBJ.

In March 1977, Mr. Yoneda was transferred to the International Finance Department of IBJ’s Nagoya Branch, where he was engaged in international business, foreign exchange, and trade finance.

In July 1981, Mr. Yoneda was assigned to the International Finance Department of IBJ Head Office, where he handled a great deal of the "samurai bond" business (Samurai bonds are the bonds issued in Japan by foreign issuers).

In 1985, Mr. Yoneda was assigned to the New York Branch. In New York, he experienced various kinds of businesses including accounting, capital markets, research, and planning.

In April 1992, Mr. Yoneda was re-assigned back to Japan and promoted to Senior Manager in charge of the Corporate Planning Department, where he implemented IBJ’s basic corporate policies and handled human resources development. He then was promoted to Senior Deputy General Manager of the International Department. In this position, he was in charge of supervising and formulating strategic plans for IBJ’s operations in the United States and in Europe.

Mr. Yoneda was re-transferred to IBJ’s New York Office in June 1998 as General Manger of the Americas Division. His coverage in the current position includes strategic planning, human resources, accounting, taxation, information technologies, legal affairs, etc. His assignment also includes managing consolidation process in the Americas for establishing Mizuho Financial Group.

Mr. Yoneda’s experience in the U.S. is not limited to work. He studied at a high school in Grandview, WA from 1968 though 1969 under the AFS Program. He was also awarded a scholarship by IBJ and studied at Harvard Law School from 1979 through 1981. In 1998, he joined Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship.

Mr. Yoneda also has a good legal background. In 1974 he earned LL.B. from the University of Tokyo, and in 1980 LL.M. from Harvard Law School. He is a member of the New York Bar.

Born in 1950, Mr. Yoneda is married and with three children, one son and two daughters.

Panelist Speaker Wharton Asian Business Conference November 18, 2000 Back to Speakers Go to Panels