[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Lazard Asset Management LLC (LAM) today announced that Yugo Ishida has joined Lazard Japan Asset Management K.K. as Representative Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Based in Tokyo, Mr. Ishida will lead the growth and development of LAM’s business in Japan, which includes local investment management, as well as Japanese sales and distribution of LAM’s investment strategies.

"We are pleased and honored to welcome Yugo Ishida to Lazard Asset Management,” said Ashish Bhutani, Chief Executive Officer of LAM. “In a distinguished 34-year career, he has achieved a breadth and depth of experience that will be a powerful addition to our global leadership team. Yugo is well positioned to drive the continued growth and expansion of our business in Japan.”

Mr. Ishida joins LAM from Nomura Asset Management, where he most recently served as an Advisor to the Board of Directors. Previously, he held a number of senior global leadership roles at Nomura, including President and Chief Operating Officer of Nomura Asset Management, Chairman of Nomura Holdings, Inc.’s European, Asian and North American subsidiaries, Chairman of Nomura Europe Holdings plc., President and CEO of Nomura Europe Holdings and Nomura International plc., President and CEO of Nomura Italia SIM p.A., Director of Nomura International (Hong Kong), and Executive Director and Head of Investment Advisory and Marketing (Hong Kong).

An indirect subsidiary of Lazard Ltd (NYSE:LAZ), LAM offers a range of equity, fixed-income, and alternative investment products worldwide. As of September 30, 2013, LAM and affiliated asset management companies in the Lazard Group managed $176 billion worth of client assets. For more information about LAM, please visit www.Lazardnet.com.