Asian alternative investment manager Pacific Alliance Group has made Anthony Miller president and chief executive of its newly formed Pacific Alliance Japan Limited unit.

Miller joins from Ramius LLC, where he will remain a Senior Advisor to Ramius Japan Ltd. and to Ramius LLC.

Pacific Alliance intends to open its Tokyo office on 1 July 2009 and will pursue investments in Japan's real estate, distressed debt and private placement markets.

Miller has been active in the investment banking and institutional direct investment industry for over 18 years. He is currently president of Ramius Japan Ltd., having built Ramius's business in Hong Kong and Japan since joining in 2001. Mr. Miller was previously a managing director and head of the Hong Kong office for private equity firm, The Carlyle Group.

Chris Gradel, managing partner, Pacific Alliance Group, said: "Miller has worked with us for six years as an outside director and member of the investment committee for our Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund. We are extremely pleased that Tony has agreed to join us to build our Japan business. The opportunities in Japan's distressed debt and real estate are profound, and we are one of the few market participants capable of executing on these exciting opportunities. Now is the time to bring our expertise and capital to Japan."