Fidelity Japan Trust plc is an investment trust with a current investment objective of achieving long-term, capital growth through an actively managed portfolio of securities. It is an all-cap strategy with a bias towards small- and medium-sized Japanese companies listed or traded on Japanese stock markets. The Company looks to benefit from the more dynamic sectors of Japan’s economy, focussing on fast-growing but attractively-valued stocks. Fidelity Japan Trust plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of £230m. It is one of six investment trusts managed by Fidelity International, which have a total market capitalisation of £5.6bn.

The Company has appointed Fidelity International to act as its investment manager and to provide company secretarial and marketing services. The portfolio is managed in Tokyo by Nicholas Price, who has over 25 years of experience both as an analyst and portfolio manager for Fidelity in Japan. He is supported by 11 analysts based in Tokyo.

Fidelity International is an asset manager serving investors outside North America, managing customer assets of £437.2bn (as of 31 March 2022).

More information can be found here.

The Board of Fidelity Japan Trust is looking to recruit an additional Board member to join in Autumn 2022. The ideal candidate will possess a strong interest in Japan's political, economic or business environment as well as a strong regional awareness. Applicants should have a well-informed perspective and expertise in the trends present in the Japanese business or political environment and its place in the global economy. This could have been gained either through holding a senior academic / research / journalistic / diplomatic role or a business leadership position within a commercial or financial services business in Japan.

The Board welcomes applications from candidates who are based overseas, and Japan in particular. The Board is also open to considering those for whom this would be their first non-executive appointment.

Please note: The Board is aiming to comply with the current FCA target for gender and ethnic diversity. Please see the Diversity section for further guidance.

David Graham, Chair
Sarah Macaulay 
David Barron 
Dominic Ziegler

The successful candidate will be required to attend at least five formal meetings per year. This will include attendance at quarterly Board Meetings and the Annual General Meeting. In addition, all Directors are expected to attend an annual trip to Japan (usually in June or November) to conduct a due diligence visit. Directors are therefore required to devote appropriate preparation time ahead of each meeting and to undertake other duties and arrangements, as relevant from time to time. Formal meetings will follow a hybrid model of virtual and in-person meetings. International travel expenses are reimbursed.

For the avoidance of doubt, the fee includes payments for serving on any committee of the Board to which Directors may be appointed.

Fidelity Japan Trust is committed to ensuring that its composition reflects gender and ethnic diversity and to making meaningful progress in improving female and ethnic minority representation on its Board. It welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.