The Nomura Permal Alpha Japan Neutral Fund is managed by Seven Seas, which was chosen by Nomura and Permal for its stock-picking skills, along with its "stable and mature investment team" and the added benefit of research and analysis supplied by Tokyo-based Alpha Japan Asset Advisers.
Available in dollar, euro and yen share classes, the fund is on the Nomura Ucits platform.
Roberto Giuffrida, head of global sales at Permal, said: "With investors increasingly looking for portfolio diversification, there is a strong interest in high quality regional-focused funds. Japan is an attractive market for long/short managers and having invested there for many years we know that manager selection and long/short stock picking are the keys to alpha generation in the region."
Peng Tang, managing director of Seven Seas, added: "We are focusing on the fundamental value of individual Japanese companies, identifying winners and losers as we look to generate alpha and at the same time reducing the impact of market directionality. Corporate Japan has some great assets offering ample liquidity with more than 3,700 listed stocks.
"What also makes market neutral long/ short such a suitable investment style for the Japanese market is the well-defined short selling and relative value trades opportunities that are readily available to the investor."
