Aflac Incorporated announced today that it has hired Hideto Yamamoto as senior vice president; chief investment officer of Aflac Japan. In this capacity, Yamamoto will report globally to Executive Vice President; Global Chief Investment Officer Eric M. Kirsch, while reporting locally to Aflac Japan Executive Vice President of Planning and Research, Risk Management and Compliance Masatoshi Koide. Based out of the Tokyo office, Yamamoto will chair the Japan Internal Investment Committee and become a member of Aflac Japan's management committee. He will also be responsible for leading and managing Aflac Japan's team of investment professionals, while having oversight responsibility for ensuring execution of globally approved investment strategy of the Aflac Japan portfolio. He will be a member of the Global Investment Committee and the Global Investment's Executive Committee.  

Yamamoto brings nearly three decades of international financial and leadership experience to Aflac. Since 2000, he has served in roles of increasing responsibility at DIAM International, most recently serving as chief executive officer and chief investment officer in the company's London office. In his position, he broadened product offerings in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, reorganizing the business development group and strengthening governance structures. Previously at DIAM International, Yamamoto was responsible for global fixed-income products and European equity products. Prior to joining DIAM, Yamamoto spent 15 years serving in roles of progressive responsibility at the Industrial Bank of Japan, which included portfolio management, and economic research. Yamamoto received his bachelor of arts degree in economics from Keio University in Tokyo.

Timothy "Chip" Stevens, managing director; global head of Macro Investment Strategy, Portfolio Solutions and Trading, who has been serving as acting chief investment officer of Aflac Japan for the last year, will return to Aflac's New York Global Investments office in May. He will assume his prior role while also taking on greater responsibilities, including expanding international investment and currency strategies and chairing the investment strategy group.  

Executive Vice President; Global Chief Investment Officer Eric M. Kirschcommented, "We are pleased to welcome an investment veteran with Yamamoto-san's longstanding and multi-faceted investment skill set to our organization. I believe the decades of global experience he's established will further enrich Aflac Japan's investment management activities and our capacity to drive value and protect policyholders." 

Aflac Japan Executive Vice President of Planning and Research, Risk Management and Compliance Masatoshi Koide added, "We are thrilled to have Yamamoto-san join Aflac as a key member of our investment senior management team. The rich experience he brings, combined with his international investment expertise, will enhance the depth and perspective of our investment team. We look forward to his contributions to Aflac's global investment function."