Akira Watanabe was the pioneer of derivatives in Japan and founded many of Mitsubishi's investment-banking activities. Now he aims to double the size of Tokyo-Mitsubishi International within the next three years and challenge Nomura International's supremacy among Japan's global investment banks.
Known, even in official meetings, as "Wani" crocodile or alligator in Japanese his bubbly, genial exterior masks a ferocious competitive streak and an acute intellect. "They think it's appropriate because I'm sort of dangerous aggressive," he beams.
"Once he bites he won't let go," says a London-based Japanese banker. "He's the type who never gives up in what he's trying to achieve." A colleague adds: "Unlike the traditional Japanese way seeking consensus first he'll take decisions and defend them later."
Watanabe was vice-chairman of the International Swap Dealers Association from 1989 to 1993 and is now on the boards of the International Primary Market Association and Euroclear. He has been offered jobs elsewhere for more money but it's unlikely he'll be prised away from the bank where he's spent his whole career.
Born in northern Japan in 1948, he moved to Tokyo when he was seven.