Vesttoo expands to Japan, hires Iinuma as GM to lead push

Vesttoo, the insurtech that uses proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning to help companies assess and transfer risks to the capital markets, is expanding into the Japanese market and has hired experienced reinsurance industry executive Kunihiko Iinuma to lead a new office there.

Kunihiko Iinuma has joined Vesttoo as its General Manager of Vesttoo Japan, a role that will see him managing the company’s office and overseeing its market development in the country.

Iinuma is an insurance and reinsurance industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience in executive roles, including stints at companies including UBS and Reinsurance Group of America (RGA).

Most recently, Iinuma spent two years as the Vice Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer at the Japan branch of life reinsurance firm RGA.

Before that he was the CEO of SBI Life Insurance Co., and prior to that role held positions at investment banks UBS and RBS.

“It’s my tremendous privilege to announce the opening of Vesttoo’s office in Japan, headed by the capable Mr. Iinuma,” explained Yaniv Bertele, CEO and Co-Founder of Vesttoo. “His outstanding experience and industry knowledge will be crucial in bringing about the Vesttoo vision of bridging the insurance and capital markets. Japan is an important global economic hub, and we’re excited to expand our operations into that area.”

“I’m eager to begin my role leading the Vesttoo office in Japan,” added Vesttoo Japan General Manager Mr. Iinuma. “Vesttoo’s products and services are a natural development in the reinsurance industry and can answer the needs of the Asian financial markets in the current economic environment. It is an honor to work with such a professional team.”

Vesttoo has in recent months opened offices in London, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Seoul, in addition to its established offices in Tel Aviv and New York.

Iiunma’s experience in the Japanese life insurance and reinsurance market could be valuable to Vesttoo, as the company targets helping market participants access the capital markets to transfer life-related risks, as well as non-cat P&C exposures.