KKR Hires Goldman's Murata for Private Credit Business in Japan

KKR & Co. has hired Goldman Sachs' Ken Murata as a managing director for its credit business in Japan, marking its first hire in Tokyo to focus on private credit. Murata will report to Diane Raposio, head of Asia credit and markets, and KKR has committed $6 billion of credit capital in the Asia-Pacific. This move reflects KKR's ambition to provide Japanese corporates with a broader range of capital solutions.

KKR & Co. has announced the hiring of Ken Murata, a managing director from Goldman Sachs Group Inc., to lead its credit business in Japan. This marks KKR's first dedicated hire in Tokyo to focus on private credit. Murata, who will start in September, will report to Diane Raposio, head of Asia credit and markets at KKR [1].

The move is part of KKR's broader strategy to provide Japanese corporates with a wider range of capital solutions. The firm has committed $6 billion of credit capital in the Asia-Pacific region, with Japan emerging as a key growth market [1]. This hiring comes as other global investment firms are also expanding their presence in the Japanese market, reflecting the growing demand for private credit solutions [1].

Murata brings extensive experience to the role, having previously served as managing director and head of Strategic Solutions and Financing Group at Goldman Sachs' investment banking division. Prior to this, he worked at UBS Group AG [1].

The hiring of Murata is a significant step for KKR as it continues to strengthen its position in the Japanese market, where it is also active in private equity and real estate investments. The firm's commitment to the region underscores the potential of the Japanese market for private credit, both as a source of funds and as a market for lending alternatives to traditional bank loans [1].

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-05/kkr-taps-goldman-s-murata-as-first-japan-hire-for-private-credit
[2] https://www.marketscreener.com/news/rbc-capital-adjusts-price-target-on-goldman-sachs-group-to-750-from-700-ce7c5edade80ff21
[3] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/capital-group-files-for-first-public-private-equity-fund-furthering-exclusive-strategic-partnership-with-kkr-302516758.html