Ramius, the alternative investment management business of Cowen Group, is partnering in Japan with GreensLedge Capital Markets and its affiliate GreensLedge Asia.

In September 2010, GreensLedge established GreensLedge Asia in Tokyo to provide advisory and institutional services to the Asian markets with an initial focus on Japan. GreensLedge Asia was created in partnership with Iku Nishino, who most recently served as J.P. Morgan’s head of fixed income sales in Japan.

Ramius has been engaged with Japanese investors since 2002 on a variety of its alternative products. This has been inclusive of direct relationships with institutional investors as well as private placements and co-branded funds for distribution through financial intermediaries. Ramius has determined that a partnership with GreensLedge will enable it to maintain and develop its longstanding presence in the Japanese institutional marketplace.

Thomas W. Strauss (pictured), president and chief executive of Ramius, says: “We are very pleased to be partnering with GreensLedge and look forward to working with them, as their strong local presence and expertise in the industry will give Ramius a more efficient and targeted platform for growth, product introduction and client service.”

“We are grateful that Ramius chose GreensLedge as their partner in Japan and are excited for the opportunity to work with such a respected firm,” says Nishino. “As institutional investor interest in alternative investments accelerates in Japan, this partnership will assist Ramius in meeting Japanese client demands in both product and service.”