Tokyo Based Hedge Fund AIJ May Have Lost/Stolen All Customer Pension Fund Money

The suspension of AIJ Investment Advisors Co.'s operations amid concerns hedge funds it manages had lost pension money may undermine plans by Japan's retirement funds to boost returns to meet demand in an aging society.

The Financial Services Agency on Feb. 24 ordered the Tokyo- based firm with 183.2 billion yen ($2.3 billion) of client money to stop business for a month as the regulator investigates "possible losses" at AIJ's hedge funds. The FSA also will undertake a nationwide probe of 263 asset managers.