Yutaka Shoji, Japan’s foremost futures trading company listed on the JASDAQ Securities Exchange with over 62 years of experience in commodity futures and is also a registered member of the Tokyo Commodity Exchange, Osaka Dojima Commodity Exchange, Tokyo Financial Exchange and the Singapore Exchange.

Recognising the opportunity offered by domestic CPO products, the Tokyo-based player has spread its wings to local shores, having recently registered as a licensed derivatives brokerage firm with Securities Commission Malaysia.

Coupled with Malaysia’s open business climate and strong bilateral ties with Japan, these have been the driving factors underlying Yutaka Shoji’s decision to invest more than RM13 million in setting up a presence in the country.

In an industry that is worth RM140.1 billion, the commodities sector contributes close to 15% of the country’s export, with palm oil contributing RM77.8 billion or 55.6%.

“The CPO market in Malaysia has much potential, and has not been fully explored. We see ourselves taking a role in advancing the market, as we have the necessary skill sets in commodity futures trading to offer price stability for both local and global buyers.

“We are currently the only futures brokerage firm from Japan to have a presence in Malaysia, and we’re here to connect local producers to Japanese buyers and to open up the market to both groups of stakeholders,” said Tsuyoshi Morita, Managing Director of Yutaka Shoji Malaysia.

“Asia is the heartbeat of commodities trading. We have had a presence in Singapore for almost 30 years, specialising in rubber futures trading, and it is about time for Yutaka Shoji to come to Malaysia, with a specific focus on CPO futures as the market has strong growth prospects.

“We foresee demand from Japanese buyers comprising up to 50% of our initial business, given Japan’s need for CPO as part of its renewable energy policy.

“We also aim to attract local retail participants who would like to set up a trading account to benefit from the risk which producers and buyers seek to mitigate, while also leveraging on arbitrage opportunities, which will make up the other 50% of our targets,” he added.

At the official launch of Yutaka Shoji Malaysia were Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok, Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Makio Miyagawa with other guests in attendance.  

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