Credit Suisse’s Chief Japan Economist Retires After 16 Years

Credit Suisse Group AG’s chief Japan economist has retired after spending more than a decade at the Swiss bank, at a time when the Asian country’s macro policies are closely watched by global investors.

(Bloomberg) — Credit Suisse Group AG’s chief Japan economist has retired after spending more than a decade at the Swiss bank, at a time when the Asian country’s macro policies are closely watched by global investors. 

Hiromichi Shirakawa, who was also vice chairman of Credit Suisse Securities (Japan) Ltd. and head of Japan economics, left the firm recently, according to a person familiar with the matter, asking not be identified discussing a private matter.

A Tokyo-based spokesperson confirmed Shirakawa’s departure and said Takashi Shiono succeeded him as head of Japan economics. Shirakawa didn’t immediately respond to attempts to reach him for comment. 

A former central bank official, Shirakawa was a prominent commentator of the nation’s developments, which have become more heavily scrutinized after Bank of Japan’s surprise policy adjustment last month in the face of accelerating inflation.

He joined Credit Suisse in 2006 as managing director and head of economics for Japan. At the Bank of Japan, where he started his professional career and spent around 16 years, Shirakawa was mainly in charge of research and analysis of money and credit markets. 

His departure comes at an inopportune time for the Swiss lender, with several of its senior executives around the world quitting amid efforts to rebuild investor confidence following a spate of scandals.

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