Japan
ETF Awards
Recognising Excellence in Japan’s ETF Ecosystem
The AAM Japan ETF Awards recognise the exceptional managers, innovative products, and vital ecosystem partners that are driving the growth of the ETF market in Japan.
Whether you are a local issuer, an international firm with a strong local footprint, or a service provider supporting the domestic market, this is your platform to showcase your leadership.
Judges' Choice Grand Prize:
ETF of the Year
The Pinnacle of Excellence for 2026
This is the highest honour in the AAM ETF Awards programme. It recognises the single most outstanding ETF product or manager that has defined excellence in the Asia-Pacific region over the past year.
Note: This is a non-entry category. The winner is selected exclusively by the judging panel from the pool of winners of all paid categories.
How to Qualify: To be eligible for this Grand Prize, you must first submit and win in a standard category below. Every category win creates an automatic entry for the Grand Prize.
Eligibility
Market Focus
Funds must be registered, domiciled, or listed in Japan. Service providers must demonstrate significant operations or client support within Japan.
Eligibility Period
1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025 (or new product launched in 2025).
Track Record
Minimum 1-year track record (or new fund launched in 2025).
Categories
Submit entries for one or more of the following categories:
Leadership
ETF Manager of the Year
Honours the leading ETF manager in the country demonstrating overall excellence.
Submission Guidelines
- Demonstrate market leadership, AUM growth, and net inflows for the past year.
- Provide 1-year performance data ending Dec 31, 2025 for key funds vs. benchmarks.
- Highlight success in client retention, new business acquisition, and distribution strategy.
- Detail new initiatives, product launches, and investor education efforts in the past year.
ETF CEO of the Year
Recognises the outstanding CEO of an ETF provider in the country.
Submission Guidelines
- Explain how the firm, under your leadership, has navigated market conditions over the past year.
- Demonstrate strategic vision and successful implementation of key initiatives.
- Provide supporting data on firm performance over the past 1-year, AUM growth, and market share.
- Highlight your leadership in innovation, team management, and industry contribution.
ETF Rising Star
Recognises an individual who has shown exceptional potential and achieved significant success in the country’s ETF industry.
Submission Guidelines
- Outline the nominee’s significant achievements and contributions over the past 1 year.
- Showcase their role in driving innovation, strategic development, or business growth.
- Provide supporting data or testimonials to substantiate claims.
Innovation
Recognises the most innovative and successful ETF launches that are shaping the future of the Japan’s local market.
Most Innovative Passive ETF of the Year
Honours a new passive ETF (new fund launched in 2025) that provides a unique, first-to-market, or transformative strategy.
Submission Guidelines
- Describe the new fund, its investment strategy, and its launch date (must be in 2025).
- Explain what makes the product innovative (e.g. unique structure, new asset class access, novel index methodology).
- Detail the market demand it addresses and its strategic importance.
- Provide data on AUM raised and early market impact.
Most Innovative Active ETF of the Year
Honours a new active ETF (new fund launched in 2025) that provides a unique, first-to-market, or transformative strategy.
Submission Guidelines
- Describe the new fund, its active strategy, and its launch date (must be in 2025).
- Explain what makes the product innovative (e.g. unique management style, new asset class, transparency approach).
- Detail the market demand it addresses and its strategic importance.
- Provide data on AUM raised and early market impact.
ETF Launch of the Year
Recognises the most successful new ETF launch in the country (new fund launched in 2025).
Submission Guidelines
- Detail the fund launched in 2025 and its strategy.
- Provide supporting data on the total AUM raised since launch.
- Explain the success of the launch in terms of market impact, distribution, and marketing strategy.
- Highlight how the launch anticipated or met significant market demand.
Asset Class & Strategy
Recognises managers and funds for delivering exceptional performance within specific asset classes or strategies.
Performance Template Requirements
Mandatory Template
All submissions for categories under “Asset Class & Strategy” (e.g. Passive Fixed Income ETF Manager, Best Dividend ETF, etc.) are judged on quantitative data and must include the completed AAM ETF Performance Template. An essay is not required for these categories.
Format
The template must be in Excel format.
Data
Must show monthly returns (January – December 2025) and the total 1-year return for the period ending December 31, 2025.
Data Format
- Monthly Returns: Provide monthly performance returns in decimal format (e.g. 3.15% as 0.0315).
- Gross/Net: Please specify if returns are gross or net of management fees.
Passive Fixed Income ETF Manager of the Year
Recognises the manager with the strongest-performing and most consistent passive fixed income ETF lineup.
Submission Guidelines
- Provide 1-year performance data ending Dec 31, 2025 for key passive fixed income ETFs, including benchmarks.
- Detail the size of bond ETF assets under management and 1-year net inflows.
- Describe the investment/indexing process and how you navigated market challenges.
Active Fixed Income ETF Manager of the Year
Recognises the manager with the strongest-performing and most consistent active fixed income ETF lineup.
Submission Guidelines
- Provide 1-year performance data ending Dec 31, 2025, for key active fixed income ETFs, including benchmarks.
- Detail the size of active bond ETF AUM and 1-year net inflows.
- Describe the active management process, risk controls, and how you successfully navigated market challenges.
Thematic Active ETF of the Year
Honours the top-performing thematic active ETF over the past year.
Submission Guidelines
- Specify the eligible active ETF and its theme.
- Provide 1-year performance data ending Dec 31, 2025, vs. a relevant benchmark.
- Explain the active strategy, key performance drivers, and risk management.
Thematic Passive ETF of the Year
Honours the top-performing thematic passive ETF over the past year.
Submission Guidelines
- Specify the eligible passive ETF, its theme, and its underlying index.
- Provide 1-year performance data ending Dec 31, 2025, vs. a relevant benchmark.
- Explain the index methodology, key performance drivers, and fund AUM/inflows.
Best Dividend ETF
Recognises the ETF (active or passive) that has demonstrated the most effective dividend-focused strategy.
Submission Guidelines
- Specify the eligible ETF and its dividend strategy (e.g. high yield, dividend growth).
- Provide 1-year performance data, yield metrics, and total return vs. benchmark.
- Explain how the strategy balances yield, risk, and capital growth.
Money Market ETF of the Year
Honours the leading Money Market or cash-equivalent ETF.
Submission Guidelines
- Specify the eligible ETF.
- Provide 1-year performance data, yield, and AUM/inflows.
- Demonstrate success in providing liquidity, capital preservation, and competitive returns.
Leverage and Inverse ETF of the Year
Recognises the leading Leverage and/or Inverse (L&I) ETF provider or specific fund.
Submission Guidelines
- Demonstrate expertise in managing L&I products, including performance accuracy (tracking), risk management, and investor education.
- Provide 1-year performance data on AUM, trading volume, and product range.
Commodity ETF of the Year
Honours the top-performing or most impactful commodity ETF.
Submission Guidelines
- Specify the eligible ETF (physical or synthetic).
- Provide 1-year performance data, AUM, and inflows.
- Explain the strategy and its effectiveness in providing commodity exposure.
Digital Assets ETF of the Year
Honours the leading ETF providing exposure to digital assets (e.g. cryptocurrency, blockchain).
Submission Guidelines
- Specify the eligible ETF and its strategy for digital asset exposure.
- Provide 1-year performance data, AUM, and inflows.
- Highlight risk management, regulatory compliance, and custody arrangements.
Best Absolute Performing ETF of the Year
Honours the single ETF with the highest absolute (total) return in the country over the past year.
Submission Guidelines
- Specify the eligible ETF.
- Provide 1-year total return performance data ending Dec 31, 2025.
- Include fund AUM to demonstrate significance. (This award is primarily data-driven).
- Briefly explain the investment strategy, including underlying assets.
Ecosystem & Institutional
Honours the critical service providers and institutional investors whose expertise and support are essential for a thriving ETF market in Japan.
Index Provider of the Year
Honours the leading index provider in the country’s ETF market.
Submission Guidelines
- Demonstrate how your firm has met demand for innovative and relevant indices.
- Provide data on the AUM tracking your indices in the local ETF market and growth over the past 1-year.
- Highlight new initiatives, product launches, and client wins.
ETF Custodian and Administrator of the Year
Recognises the leading custodian and/or fund administrator servicing the country’s ETF industry.
Submission Guidelines
- Demonstrate commitment to the ETF market, including handling creations/redemptions and basket services.
- Highlight new technology, service enhancements, and client wins in the past 1-year.
- Provide data on assets under custody/administration (AUC/AUA) for ETFs in the country.
ETF Law Firm of the Year
Honours the law firm that has shown outstanding expertise and contribution to the country’s ETF industry.
Submission Guidelines
- Detail the firm’s expertise in ETF structuring, regulation, and launches.
- Provide examples of significant or innovative ETF-related work in the past 1-year.
- Highlight the team’s experience and contributions to industry advocacy.
ETF Market Maker of the Year
Recognises the leading market maker for its role in providing liquidity and ensuring efficient trading in the ETF market.
Submission Guidelines
- Demonstrate breadth of coverage (number of ETFs covered) and quality of service (e.g. tight spreads, reliability).
- Provide supporting testimonials from issuers or exchanges (if available).
- Highlight technology and strategies used to enhance market liquidity.
ETF Insurance Investor of the Year
Honours the insurance company in the country that has demonstrated the most effective and innovative use of ETFs.
Submission Guidelines
- Explain the firm’s strategy for using ETFs (e.g. for asset allocation, risk management, liquidity).
- Provide an overview of the scale and scope of ETF investments.
- Highlight any innovative applications or contributions to the local ETF ecosystem.
Judging Criteria
Please see individual award details for specific judging criteria.
Submission Requirements
Payment
Ensure payment accompanies the submission.
Essay Requirement
A 700-word essay is required for all Leadership, Innovation, and Ecosystem awards.
Performance Template
A 700-word essay is not required for “Asset Class & Strategy” awards. These must use the mandatory AAM ETF Performance Template. However, please note the ‘Best Absolute Performing ETF’ award requires a brief explanation of strategy (this is not a 700-word essay).
Don’t miss this opportunity to be recognised among the industry’s best. Submit your entry today!
How to Submit
- Download Guidelines: Read the full judging criteria for the categories.
- Prepare Your Data:
- For Asset Class awards: Complete the AAM ETF Performance Template (Excel) showing monthly returns (Jan-Dec 2025).
- For Leadership/Innovation/Ecosystem awards: Prepare a written submission (max 700 words) addressing the category criteria.
- Submit Online: Create an account on our portal and upload your entry.
Contact Us
Check out our FAQs which answers the most common questions. If you have any further questions or have any issues with submitting your application, reach out to us at etfawards@asiaasset.com.