# Waseda University Endowment

Waseda University Endowment is an Endowment / Foundation based in Tokyo, Japan.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Tokyo, Japan
- **Region:** Asia
- **Address:** 1-104 Totsukamachi Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- **Founded:** 2018
- **Assets under management:** 1014 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** www.waseda.jp/top/en
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/school/wasedauniversity/

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Waseda University Endowment was established in 2018 to centralize donation management for the private research university in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Aiji Tanaka, university president, oversaw creation of The Waseda Fund as the primary vehicle. Donations reached 4.89 billion yen in FY 2023. The endowment allocates across private equity at 13.13 percent and maintains a balanced strategy that includes buyouts, growth equity, and early-stage venture. It holds direct real estate assets such as Okuma Square Building, Waseda Campus, Nishiwaseda Campus, and Tokorozawa Campus, all managed through Waseda University Property Management Corp. Geographic exposure centers on Japan with additional positions in the United States. Confirmed venture holdings include Nanofiber Quantum Technologies, Blue Laser Fusion, Quanmatic, ANRis, Tres Alchemix, and BioPhenoMA, accessed through Waseda University Ventures. The endowment employs investment advisors including Nomura Asset Management since 2022 and maintains membership in the Principles for Responsible Investment. It attended the ULI Asia Pacific Summit in Tokyo in May 2024. Additional vehicles include The Waseda Fund, which reported 8 million USD in estimated giving, and relationships with Japan Science and Technology Agency and Waseda University Alumni Association. Waseda University Ventures serves as the dedicated early-stage investment arm founded in 2022, creating a hybrid structure that combines endowment capital with university-led venture commitments and co-investments alongside external partners such as Japan Investment Corporation.

## Sectors

- Diversified
- Information Technology

## People

- Yoichi Katayori — Manager of the Waseda University Endowment
- Aiji Tanaka — President of Waseda University
- Ted Yamamoto — Representative Director of Waseda University Ventures

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Waseda University Endowment?

Yoichi Katayori serves as the primary allocator and manager. Aiji Tanaka, university president, provides oversight on fund establishment and strategy.

### How does Waseda University Endowment source proprietary deal flow?

Deal flow originates through Waseda University Ventures, established in 2022, and partnerships with entities including Nomura Asset Management and Japan Investment Corporation.

### Does Waseda University Endowment participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The endowment deploys through both direct holdings in real estate and startups plus commitments via Waseda University Ventures to early-stage companies.

### What investment stages does Waseda University Endowment typically target?

Targets span early-stage seed and startup investments, expansion and late-stage, growth equity, and buyouts according to documented strategy allocations.

### What is Waseda University Endowment's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?

It co-invests through Waseda University Ventures alongside partners including Japan Investment Corporation and WERU Investment.

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- [Western Metal Industry Pension Plan](https://altss.com/profile/western-metal-industry-pension-plan)
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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/waseda-university-endowment

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