March 25 (Reuters) - Citigroup ( C/PN ) appointed Akira

Hoshino as the head of markets for Japan on Tuesday, effective

immediately.

Hoshino, who previously led the foreign exchange and rates

sales divisions, will drive business growth and lead the Markets

franchise in Japan, the bank said.

With over three decades of experience in markets trading

globally, Hoshino will report to Paul Smith, head of markets for

Japan, Asia North and Australia and Robert Nakamura, Citi

country officer and banking head for Japan.

Citi's markets business serves corporates, institutional

investors, and governments from trading floors in almost 80

countries. It provides underwriting, sales and trading and

distribution capabilities across asset classes like commodities,

equities, rates, others.