IG Japan CEO Resigns After Seven Years, Says “It’s Time for a New Leader”

Tomoharu Furuichi has stepped down from his position as Representative Director and Chief Executive Officer of IG Japan, ending a tenure of nearly seven years. The executive confirmed his departure in a LinkedIn post published on Thursday.

In a separate development, IG Securities—IG Group’s Japanese subsidiary—has discontinued trading in cryptocurrency ETF CFDs. The move follows recent guidance from Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA), which clarified that derivatives linked to overseas crypto ETFs are considered crypto-related products and therefore subject to domestic regulation. The creation and sale of crypto ETFs remain prohibited in Japan.

Leadership Change After Period of Expansion

Reflecting on his time at the company, Furuichi said IG Japan had expanded severalfold during his tenure and had become the largest foreign-branded retail broker in the Japanese market, despite operating primarily in the OTC derivatives segment. He noted that the business had reached a stage where new leadership was appropriate to guide its next phase of development.

Furuichi brings a diverse background spanning both finance and consumer sectors. Prior to IG Japan, he served as Chief Executive Officer of GILT Groupe K.K., an online luxury retail business, where he led a broad transformation program covering strategy, operations, and organizational structure. His efforts contributed to a return to profitability and revenue growth before the company was sold by its parent group.

Earlier in his career, Furuichi spent nearly six years as a director and board member at Samantha Thavasa Japan, overseeing areas including retail operations, logistics, IT, human resources, e-commerce, and international business, while driving company-wide change initiatives. He also previously held a senior director role at consulting firm AlixPartners in the Greater Tokyo area.

Product and Client Policy Updates

Alongside regulatory-driven changes to its crypto-related products, IG Japan has also ended a preferential trading program for new clients. The initiative, which allowed reduced minimum trade sizes during the first two weeks after account opening, has been phased out.

The company said the decision followed earlier adjustments to contract sizes, which improved overall trading conditions and reduced the need for short-term incentives. Clients who opened accounts prior to the program’s termination will continue to receive the associated benefits until the scheme formally concludes.