TOKYO (March 8, 2023) — LaSalle Investment Management (“LaSalle”) announces today two significant appointments. Kunihiko (Nick) Okumura will succeed Keith Fujii as Chief Executive Officer of LaSalle Japan and will concurrently be appointed as Representative Director of LaSalle Japan. Meanwhile, Itaru Nogami will succeed Ryota Morioka as Fund Manager of LaSalle Japan Property Fund (LJPF), an open-ended core fund with total assets under management of more than JPY200 billion GAV (US$1.54 billion). Both appointments will be effective March 31.

Consequently, Fujii will continue to serve LaSalle as Head of Asia Pacific while Morioka will depart the firm to pursue other interests. Yasuo Nakashima has also stepped down as Representative Director of LaSalle Japan and will depart the firm on April 1.

Keith Fujii, Head of Asia Pacific for LaSalle, said, “These leadership transitions follow a succession planning process spanning several years, during which we worked to develop a robust talent pipeline. Okumura san’s and Nogami san’s appointments reflect the depth of LaSalle’s bench strength and the firm’s long-term orientation.”

Okumura joined LaSalle Japan in 2011 and served as Head of Acquisitions and Asset Management. He was additionally appointed Co-Chief Investment Officer (Co-CIO) for LaSalle Asia Pacific in 2021. With over 25 years of Japanese real estate experience, Okumura has completed over US$15 billion of debt and equity transactions across multiple asset classes. In his new role as CEO of LaSalle Japan, Okumura will continue to serve as Co-CIO for the Asia Pacific region.

Nogami joined LaSalle as Deputy Fund Manager for LJPF in 2020 and has been involved in all strategic and operational dimensions of the fund, including equity raising, debt financing, investor and lender communications, acquisition, operational management, as well as investor reporting and fund administration. Itaru has over 20 years of experience in Japanese direct real estate investments.

Fujii continued, “Over the 12 years he’s been with LaSalle, Okumura san has been instrumental to the development and execution of our business strategy both in Japan and Asia Pacific. With his blend of acumen, discipline and integrity, Okumura san is well-positioned to lead our Japan business and drive the next phase of its growth. Meanwhile, Nogami san has been a key member of LJPF since he joined LaSalle Japan and, with the guidance of Morioka san, is now primed to extend the excellent track record of the fund. I am grateful to Morioka san for his significant contributions to our business and I am confident we will continue to benefit from the leadership of Okumura san at LaSalle Japan and Nogami san for LJPF.”

Kunihiko (Nick) Okumura, CEO-elect for LaSalle Japan, said, “I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead LaSalle Japan and to build on our excellent foundation which Fujii san had strengthened with his leadership in the past few years. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with my talented colleagues, to achieve strong performance for our investors and also to make LaSalle a great place to work.”

Itaru Nogami, Fund Manager-elect for LJPF, said, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue to serve our investors as Fund Manager. I’m looking forward to working with my team to maximize investment returns by expanding our diversified portfolio of high-quality, stable core assets in line with our existing strategy.”

About LaSalle Investment Management  |  Investing Today. For Tomorrow.

LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world’s leading real estate investment managers. On a global basis, LaSalle manages over $79 billion of assets in private and public real estate property and debt investments as of Q4 2022. LaSalle’s diverse client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. LaSalle sponsors a complete range of investment vehicles including separate accounts, open- and closed-end funds, public securities and entity-level investments. For more information please visit www.lasalle.com and LinkedIn.

NOTE: This information discussed above is based on the market analysis and expectations of LaSalle and should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding LaSalle funds or any issuer or security in particular. The information presented herein is for illustrative and educational purposes and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law or where contrary to local law or regulation. Any such offer to invest, if made, will only be made to certain qualified investors by means of a private placement memorandum or applicable offering document and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Past performance is not indicative of future results, nor should any statements herein be construed as a prediction or guarantee of future results.

LaSalle Investment Management (“LaSalle”) is pleased to confirm it has been selected for a global real estate investment mandate by the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), Japan. With Mizuho Trust & Banking Co., Ltd. acting as gatekeeper, the mandate will pursue co-investments, joint ventures and club deals.

Mark Gabbay, Global CEO of LaSalle, said: “It is an honor to be selected by GPIF for this investment mandate. Our global scale, wide ranging real estate investment capabilities and long track record will help shape our strategy and we look forward to delivering strong performance on behalf of GPIF for years to come.”

Jon Zehner, Head of LaSalle Global Partner Solutions at LaSalle, added: “We are pleased to have earned the trust of GPIF to manage real estate investments on their behalf. Our team is focused on sourcing and delivering compelling opportunities, and we look forward to strengthening our relationship of trust as we build a global portfolio.” 

About GPIF

Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) is an incorporated administrative agency, established by the Japanese government. Total assets as of the end of June in 2022 count for JPY193,012.6 billion. For more information, visit: https://www.gpif.go.jp/en/about/.

About LaSalle Investment Management

LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world’s leading real estate investment managers. On a global basis, we manage approximately $82 billion of assets in private equity, debt and public real estate investments as of Q2 2022. The firm sponsors a complete range of investment vehicles including open- and closed-end funds, separate accounts and indirect investments. Our diverse client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. For more information please visit www.lasalle.com and LinkedIn.

NOTE: This information discussed above is based on the market analysis and expectations of LaSalle and should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding LaSalle funds or any issuer or security in particular. The information presented herein is for illustrative and educational purposes and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law or where contrary to local law or regulation. Any such offer to invest, if made, will only be made to certain qualified investors by means of a private placement memorandum or applicable offering document and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Past performance is not indicative of future results, nor should any statements herein be construed as a prediction or guarantee of future results.

LaSalle Investment Management (“LaSalle”) has raised over US$2.2 billion of equity for LaSalle Asia Opportunity VI (“LAO VI” or “the Fund”), including sidecars and co-investment programmes, exceeding its initial target of US$1.5 billion. The committed capital has been secured from global institutional investors and will provide buying power for over US$7 billion worth of assets.

LAO VI is the sixth in LaSalle’s closed-ended, opportunistic fund series focusing on Asia Pacific. In keeping with its predecessor funds, LAO VI seeks to take advantage of mispriced assets with opportunities to add value through repositioning and redevelopment in Asia Pacific’s key markets including Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Singapore, having invested approximately 25% of committed capital so far in a diversified portfolio. To date, the LaSalle Asia Opportunity Fund series has invested in over US$13 billion worth of assets. In the last 10 years, the average asset returns generated by the series have exceeded its target of 18% net IRR.

The fund’s investment strategy is led by Kunihiko (Nick) Okumura and Claire Tang in their expanded roles as Co-Chief Investment Officers of LaSalle Asia Pacific, which they assumed in 2021 after former Asia Pacific CEO and CIO Mark Gabbay became LaSalle’s Global CEO. With over 40 years of real estate experience between them, Nick and Claire continue to provide steady leadership and build momentum for the growth of LaSalle’s business in the region.

Globally, LaSalle has established itself as a significant player in value-add investment strategies and continues to expand its capabilities in this area. “We are focused on bolstering our platform in this strategy across all regions where we operate, to meet the continued investor demand for enhanced alpha throughout market cycles,” commented Mark Gabbay, Global Chief Executive Officer.

Keith Fujii, Head of Asia Pacific, commented: “The LaSalle Asia Opportunity Fund series offers investors access to a region with healthy market fundamentals and risk-return diversification opportunities afforded by varying market cycles, backed by the expertise and experience of LaSalle’s long-standing Asia Pacific platform which has been operating since 2000.”

Marc Montanus, Fund Manager for the LaSalle Asia Opportunity Fund Series, added: “We are pleased to have raised over US$2.2 billion for LAO VI and to have again exceeded our initial target for the Fund, especially against the economic headwinds brought by the pandemic over the past two years. This is testament to our investors’ confidence in LaSalle’s excellent track record in deploying capital and generating strong investment performance for our clients.”

About LaSalle Investment Management 

LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world’s leading real estate investment managers. On a global basis, we manage approximately $82 billion of assets in private equity, debt and public real estate investments as of Q2 2022. The firm sponsors a complete range of investment vehicles including open- and closed-end funds, separate accounts and indirect investments. Our diverse client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. For more information please visit www.lasalle.com, and LinkedIn.

NOTE: This information discussed above is based on the market analysis and expectations of LaSalle and should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding LaSalle funds or any issuer or security in particular. The information presented herein is for illustrative and educational purposes and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law or where contrary to local law or regulation. Any such offer to invest, if made, will only be made to certain qualified investors by means of a private placement memorandum or applicable offering document and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Past performance is not indicative of future results, nor should any statements herein be construed as a prediction or guarantee of future results.

Heightened geopolitical risk, persistent high inflation, and a possible recession will place European real estate under acute pressure in H2 2022. However, the asset class is expected to continue to provide longer-term stability for core investors via carefully curated portfolios, as well as offering new opportunity for investors seeking value-add returns – according to the mid-year 2022 edition of the Investment Strategy Annual (“ISA”), the report published by global real estate investment manager LaSalle Investment Management (“LaSalle”).

Europe is facing a macroeconomic environment rendered fragile by supply chain issues, a hot war on the region’s periphery and a squeeze on consumers’ disposable incomes. As a result, LaSalle expects real estate investors to adopt a much more cautious approach in the second half of 2022. However, while inflationary pressures have surged, and interest rates have increased earlier and more quickly than expected, real estate assets can act as a hedge against inflation in cases where landlords have pricing power. Fundamentally, this will manifest for investors with the best assets in the right locations, where supply-demand imbalances underpin rental growth.

Furthermore, in an uncertain environment, investors seeking higher returns can expect to benefit from dislocation and opportunities to repurpose assets. Off-market or value-add opportunities could potentially offset the effect of rising operating expenses, construction costs and interest rates, either through building-specific renovation or repositioning to achieve occupancy improvement or rental uplift. 

Long-term resilience will be underpinned by careful stock selection. Although European real estate markets have been impacted by global headwinds, pockets of opportunity persist for investors across each sector.  

Retail rebound postponed

In retail, the post-Covid recovery has been shaken by the impact of inflation on consumer discretionary spending power. Bricks-and-mortar retail warehouses have, however, remained resilient due to the non-discretionary nature of underlying demand for grocery anchors and their convenience offer. But fundamental challenges for European shopping centres and high-street retail is expected to persist, despite destination shopping continuing to remain an integral part of the retail experience in the long term. We remain optimistic on the outlook for outlet centres, which are set to benefit from increasing consumer frugality.

Office sector ‘trifurcation’

As with retail, the office sector is experiencing occupier and investor needs varying greatly by the quality of asset and micro location. Experientially rich buildings in prime locations that meet sustainability standards and benefit from high-quality amenities will continue to attract demand. In addition, with the pathway to Net Zero Carbon in mind, the age and quality of existing stock in European markets presents an opportunity to create the offices of the future, particularly through refurbishment. However, there is a growing range of older stock which is likely to be stranded and should be sold at – or at times even below – current valuation before liquidity dries up.

Logistics demand story remains intact

Logistics has not been immune to recent market shocks and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. A slowdown in take-up by major occupiers marks a change from many years of continued expansion. However, LaSalle believes that the sector remains in a robust position to grow in the coming months. European logistics properties recorded the highest demand for new space ever in H1 2022, driven by continuous e-commerce expansion, as well as just-in-case inventories and the nearshoring of some manufacturing activity. As a result, vacancy rates are at historical lows, and we remain confident of future prospects for European logistics rental growth.

Living strategies’ prospects at risk of divergence

The living sectors remain underpinneD by strong demand drivers including robust household formation, growth in key cities, an ageing population, increasing mobility and a structural undersupply across Europe. However, potential home buyers may tilt toward renting, owing to the rising cost of debt. For the more niche living sub-sectors, such as student housing and senior housing, investors will need to be ahead of the curve to take advantage of attractive pricing.

Finding value across the yield spectrum

With the European landscape evolving quickly, assessing the prospect for various sectors requires consideration of assets’ pricing yield levels and income growth potential.

LaSalle’s framework finds that for low-yield sectors with excellent fundamentals, like logistics, prime low-carbon offices in key cities and unregulated residential, valuations will hinge on the potential for and relative magnitude of future rental growth and an upward shift in yields. In low-yielding sectors where inflation cannot be offset by rental growth, caution must be exercised until markets stabilise.

Although higher-yielding sectors with challenged fundamentals are intuitively those in which value may be identifiable, recent concerns around economic growth have made their impact felt. The nascent retail recovery, for instance, is at risk from inflationary pressure on real incomes, while capex-intensive strategies to renovate buildings are affected by rising construction costs. Meanwhile, sectors with relatively higher yields and stronger net operating income growth potential – namely alternative living sectors, such as student accommodation or senior living – continue to remain attractive.

Brian Klinksiek, Head of European Research and Global Portfolio Strategies at LaSalle, said: “The past six months have seen macroeconomic headwinds and geopolitical risk affect the global economic outlook. European investors should therefore exercise caution in the coming months until market valuations and asset pricing stabilise. But despite this, real estate will remain an anchor as other asset classes struggle, and investors look for predictability. Underpinned by the long-term resilience of the asset class, careful portfolio construction across the key sectors of European real estate can continue to deliver the benefits of diversification, stability and long-term income growth for investors.”

Jacques Gordon, Global Head of Research and Strategy at LaSalle, added: “Real estate generally provided shelter during the waves of volatility that swept through the securities markets in the first half of the year. In the second half, we foresee different dynamics unfolding. The big change has been the sharp rise in inflation in Western countries and a “regime shift” from highly accommodative to tightening monetary policies by several central banks. Many world events simultaneously contributed to this inflection point including: the re-opening of economies after COVID-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, trade wars, and government stimulus spending. Although these pressures were building in 2021, there is no escaping the fact that the financial and commodity markets shifted sharply in the first half of 2022. Our guidance for investors to seek inflation protection in real estate is a focus-theme of our mid-year update.”

About LaSalle Investment Management 
LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world’s leading real estate investment managers. On a global basis, we manage approximately $82 billion of assets in private equity, debt and public real estate investments as of Q2 2022. The firm sponsors a complete range of investment vehicles including open- and closed-end funds, separate accounts and indirect investments. Our diverse client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. For more information please visit www.lasalle.com and LinkedIn.

NOTE: This information discussed above is based on the market analysis and expectations of LaSalle and should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding LaSalle funds or any issuer or security in particular. The information presented herein is for illustrative and educational purposes and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law or where contrary to local law or regulation. Any such offer to invest, if made, will only be made to certain qualified investors by means of a private placement memorandum or applicable offering document and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Past performance is not indicative of future results, nor should any statements herein be construed as a prediction or guarantee of future results.

Market direction and economic outlooks have shifted since the start of 2022, with elevated inflation, slowing economic growth, and higher interest rates impacting the real estate market. According to LaSalle’s 2022 Mid-Year Investment Strategy Annual (“ISA”), the overall market shifts are causing real estate investors to re-visit earlier strategies as they understand and react to higher inflation, the Fed’s and the Bank of Canada’s rapid interest rate increases to combat it, and global geopolitical and economic upheaval.  

LaSalle clients can view the full report at: www.lasalle.com/research-and-insights/isa-2020

In North America, the impacts of inflation and rising rates on real estate are nuanced, and require an understanding of each sector’s fundamentals, which the report explores. Coming into 2022, LaSalle Research & Strategy noted that the pandemic and its ensuing economic ripple effects had accelerated pre-pandemic trends, widening the gap between favored and non-favored property types. The mid-year report shows these trends are continuing as investors gravitate to favored property types with strong underlying fundamentals. Looking ahead, there is uncertainty in the market, but it appears as though the favored property types are well-positioned to withstand a potential economic slowdown.

Jacques Gordon, Global Head of Research and Strategy at LaSalle, said: “Real estate generally provided shelter during the waves of volatility that swept through the securities markets in the first half of the year.  In the second half, we foresee different dynamics unfolding. The big change has been the sharp rise in inflation in Western countries and a “regime shift” from highly accommodative to tightening monetary policies by several central banks. Many world events simultaneously contributed to this inflection point including:  the re-opening of economies after COVID-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, trade wars, and government stimulus spending.  Although these pressures were building in 2021, there is no escaping the fact that the financial and commodity markets shifted sharply in the first half of 2022.  Our guidance for investors to seek inflation protection in real estate is a focus-theme of our mid-year update.”
 

Select 2022 Mid-Year ISA findings for North America include:

• In line with the full-year ISA’s prediction, favored property types including industrial, multifamily, medical office and single family rentals continue to have strong fundamentals and outperform on a relative basis. Industrial development and transactions continue as there remains a supply gap and businesses who lease these spaces continue to show they can continue to pay rents, even as they increase. The residential property types also have a strong outlook. As interest rates rise and inflation impacts housing starts, many would-be homebuyers may look to rent.
   
• The debt markets remain liquid, providing the capital needed to finance transactions. While the Mid-Year ISA expects a slowdown in transactions, debt funds, life insurance companies and banks continue to lend to strong, established sponsors. Meanwhile, CMBS issuance has slowed, and higher interest rates mean highly leveraged borrowers are less competitive bidders for property. For borrowers, leverage is less accretive than last year, but many are still using leverage with the belief that future income growth will make leverage accretive to returns over their hold period.
   
• The report also looks at capital flows as barometer of market health, and notes that NAV REITs continue to raise capital, as retail investors start to establish a portfolio allocation to real estate and diversify amid a volatile market environment. While many closed-end funds still have dry powder from previous capital raises, new institutional capital raises appear to have slowed slightly as established investors have reached their target allocations after playing catchup over the last several years.
   
• Transaction volume in the first quarter of the year was higher than the first quarter of the prior year. US transaction volume last quarter was $157.6 billion, 76 percent higher than a year ago. In Canada, USD $10.7 billion traded in last quarter, representing a 71 percent year-over-year increase. The report estimates that pricing has adjusted downward from a peak in the first quarter of 2022 by a range of 0-15 percent depending on market segment, giving back a portion of the gains from the last 12 months. Though second quarter data is not yet available, anecdotally it seems transactions have slowed amidst shifting pricing and broader uncertainty. However, a bid-ask gap has not developed as buyers and sellers have been willing to accept similar price declines.
   

Rich Kleinman, Americas Co-CIO and Head of US Research & Strategy at LaSalle, said, “While it remains to be seen how inflation and interest rates will evolve in the second half of the year, it is our view that many property types are well-positioned to support investor goals in the months ahead, and that real estate exposure should play a productive role in investors’ portfolios. Experience in recent downturns is also helping investors and lenders navigate the uncertainty, which should bode well for the industry as a whole.”

Chris Langstaff, Head of Research and Strategy for Canada at LaSalle, said, “Canada is historically a stable market, and it appears that while many of the same headwinds apply, fundamentals remain strong and transactions in many property types are moving forward.”

About LaSalle Investment Management 
LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world’s leading real estate investment managers. On a global basis, we manage approximately $82 billion of assets in private equity, debt and public real estate investments as of Q2 2022. The firm sponsors a complete range of investment vehicles including open- and closed-end funds, separate accounts and indirect investments. Our diverse client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. For more information please visit www.lasalle.com and LinkedIn.

NOTE: This information discussed above is based on the market analysis and expectations of LaSalle and should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding LaSalle funds or any issuer or security in particular. The information presented herein is for illustrative and educational purposes and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law or where contrary to local law or regulation. Any such offer to invest, if made, will only be made to certain qualified investors by means of a private placement memorandum or applicable offering document and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Past performance is not indicative of future results, nor should any statements herein be construed as a prediction or guarantee of future results.

LaSalle Investment Management (“LaSalle”) today announced that after 28 years of distinguished service and leadership of the Research & Strategy group at the firm, Jacques Gordon has confirmed he will retire from the business at the end of 2022 in to order pursue interests in higher education. He will remain as the Global Head of Research & Strategy through the remainder of this year, and will be succeeded by Brian Klinksiek, LaSalle’s current Head of European Research & Global Portfolio Strategies, effective 1 January 2023.

Brian will continue to be based in London and will join LaSalle’s Global Management committee, reporting to CEO Mark Gabbay. Succession for Brian’s Head of European Research & Strategy role is in process and will be announced prior to his transition to global leadership in 2023.

LaSalle Global CEO Mark Gabbay said, “This transition reflects LaSalle’s continued focus on thoughtful leadership succession, offering both continuity along with fresh ideas to be infused across the organization. We are grateful for the numerous contributions Jacques has provided LaSalle and the broader industry over the course of his career, and look forward to recognizing these accomplishments in the months ahead. Brian’s professional experience positions him well to take on this role, having lived, worked, and covered the real estate markets in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.”

After joining LaSalle in 2020, Brian led the reorganization of LaSalle’s European Research & Strategy team from a geography-focused model to a more dynamic pan-European sector-focused model. He has deepened the Research & Strategy team’s integration within the firm’s newly formed European Debt & Value-add platform, and also led the creation of LaSalle’s global investment risk management function. Brian has been a leading industry advocate for the incorporation of climate risk analysis into investment-making decisions, and is a champion for DEI in the workplace, having been appointed Chair of LaSalle’s European DEI committee in 2021.

Brian Klinksiek, incoming Global Head of Research & Strategy said, “It is an honor to be named the next leader of LaSalle’s world-class Research & Strategy team. Jacques has done a remarkable job establishing LaSalle’s reputation for timely insights, accurate forecasts, and impactful strategy that is fully integrated with the investment process. He has been a role model for me throughout my career – even before I joined the firm. I am thankful for his guidance and partnership, and look forward to continuing to seek his counsel as he moves into academia.”

Jacques Gordon, retiring Global Head of Research & Strategy said, “I am grateful for the experiences, insights and friendships I’ve gained during my time at LaSalle. Our Global Research & Strategy team is well-positioned to continue to deliver great value to our clients and investment colleagues around the world, and Brian is the right leader to drive the next phase of innovation and growth. I look forward to seeing the firm prosper as I transition to the next chapter of my career.”

About LaSalle Investment Management 
LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world’s leading real estate investment managers. On a global basis, we manage approximately $82 billion of assets in private equity, debt and public real estate investments as of Q2 2022. The firm sponsors a complete range of investment vehicles including open- and closed-end funds, separate accounts and indirect investments. Our diverse client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. For more information please visit www.lasalle.com and LinkedIn.

NOTE: This information discussed above is based on the market analysis and expectations of LaSalle and should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding LaSalle funds or any issuer or security in particular. The information presented herein is for illustrative and educational purposes and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law or where contrary to local law or regulation. Any such offer to invest, if made, will only be made to certain qualified investors by means of a private placement memorandum or applicable offering document and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Past performance is not indicative of future results, nor should any statements herein be construed as a prediction or guarantee of future results.

JLL (NYSE: JLL) has been recognized by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies. For the 15th consecutive year, JLL has been honored for demonstrating exceptional leadership and a commitment to business integrity through best-in-class ethics, compliance and governance practices. 

In 2022, 136 companies from 22 countries and 45 industries were honored. Of these, JLL is one of only four honorees in the real estate industry and one of only 12 that have been on the list 15 times or more.

LaSalle is a wholly owned subsidiary of JLL and is proud to share in this achievement.

Read more about this award on JLL.com

SINGAPORE (April 25, 2022) — LaSalle Investment Management (“LaSalle”) is pleased to announce it has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating on 41 logistics and commercial properties in Asia Pacific through the International WELL Building Institute (“IWBI”). They include 8 properties in Australia, 16 properties in China, 16 properties in Japan and one property in Singapore.

The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing building and space types focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a post-COVID-19 environment now and into the future. Designed to empower owners and operators across large and small businesses alike to take the necessary steps in order to prioritize the health and safety of their staff, visitors and stakeholders, the WELL Health-Safety Rating can help guide users in preparing their spaces for re-entry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, instilling confidence in those who come through the building as well as the broader community.

Keith Fujii, LaSalle Head of Asia Pacific, said: “By embracing the WELL Health-Safety standard across our Asia Pacific portfolios, we are taking a further step to create a safe and considerate environment for our tenants and their customers. This achievement reiterates LaSalle’s commitment to investing in and managing assets that have a truly positive impact on public health and safety.”

Tom Miller, LaSalle Head of Development and Sustainability, Asia Pacific, added: “We are looking forward to working with IWBI to extend this certification program to many more of LaSalle’s assets in Asia Pacific in the future.”

In order to achieve WELL Health-Safety Rating, the properties implemented features such as improved air and water quality management, health service resources, emergency preparedness programs, enhanced cleaning and sanitation procedures, and increased stakeholder engagement and communication.

About LaSalle Investment Management 

LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world’s leading real estate investment managers. On a global basis, we manage approximately $82 billion of assets in private equity, debt and public real estate investments as of Q2 2022. The firm sponsors a complete range of investment vehicles including open- and closed-end funds, separate accounts and indirect investments. Our diverse client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. For more information please visit www.lasalle.com and LinkedIn.

NOTE: This information discussed above is based on the market analysis and expectations of LaSalle and should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding LaSalle funds or any issuer or security in particular. The information presented herein is for illustrative and educational purposes and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law or where contrary to local law or regulation. Any such offer to invest, if made, will only be made to certain qualified investors by means of a private placement memorandum or applicable offering document and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Past performance is not indicative of future results, nor should any statements herein be construed as a prediction or guarantee of future results.

LaSalle Investment Management (“LaSalle”) has raised JPY 33 billion (US$289 million) in blind-pool capital through its flagship open-end core fund, LaSalle Japan Property Fund (“LJPF”). This is the first time in the domestic market that an open-ended diversified core fund has raised blind-pool capital of this scale.

LJPF has acquired eight properties for approximately JPY 17 billion (US$149 million) by deploying part of the newly raised equity, thereby increasing its total assets under management to JPY 165 billion GAV (US$1.45 billion). The eight newly acquired properties include one large-scale logistics facility in the Tokyo area and seven high-quality residential properties in the Osaka and Nagoya metropolitan areas. The acquisition means that LJPF now has 24 properties in its portfolio.

The equity raised is from a well-diversified group of domestic investors, including financial institutions, pension funds and operating companies.

LJPF was launched in November 2019 with approximately JPY 100 billion (US$876.5 million), aiming to offer Japanese and international investors a wide range of real estate products. It invests in four major asset classes – logistics, residential, retail and offices – in four major metropolitan areas: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka.

Keith Fujii, Head of Asia Pacific at LaSalle Investment Management, said: “Japan has long been a strategic market for LaSalle. This successful blind-pool equity raised is a testament to the strong track record our team has built up and continued investors’ trust and confidence in our capability to seize market opportunities and create long-term values.”

Ryota Morioka, Executive Officer at LaSalle Investment Management, K.K. and LJPF Fund Manager, said: “We believe that logistics facilities and residential assets in major metropolitan areas continue to be one of the promising investment opportunities in the current Covid-19 situation. The newly acquired assets increased the fund size and portfolio diversification. We will continue to acquire high quality assets selectively and we aim to achieve JPY 200 billion GAV (US$1.75 billion) in the near term, and JPY 300 billion GAV (US$2.63 billion) by the end of 2024.”

About LaSalle Investment Management

LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world’s leading real estate investment managers. On a global basis, we manage approximately $77 billion of assets in private equity, debt and public real estate investments as of Q4 2021. The firm sponsors a complete range of investment vehicles including open- and closed-end funds, separate accounts and indirect investments. Our diverse client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. For more information please visit www.lasalle.com and LinkedIn.

NOTE: This information discussed above is based on the market analysis and expectations of LaSalle and should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding LaSalle funds or any issuer or security in particular. The information presented herein is for illustrative and educational purposes and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law or where contrary to local law or regulation. Any such offer to invest, if made, will only be made to certain qualified investors by means of a private placement memorandum or applicable offering document and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Past performance is not indicative of future results, nor should any statements herein be construed as a prediction or guarantee of future results.

LaSalle Investment Management (“LaSalle”), has acquired a total of 10 properties, one logistics and nine multifamily residential, for approximately JPY 35 billion (US$321 million) through its flagship open-end private core fund, LaSalle Japan Property Fund (LJPF), raising its total assets under management to more than JPY 157 billion GAV (US$1.44 billion).

The 10 newly acquired properties include one large-scale logistics facility located in the Osaka metropolitan area and nine high-quality multifamily properties in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The acquisition means that LJPF now has 16 properties in its portfolio.

Despite the ongoing pandemic, the equity offering was buoyed by a strong appetite for investment in domestic real estate from a wide range of domestic investors. Subscriptions made by major institutional investors, financial institutions, pension funds and operating companies substantially exceeded the expected offering amount to fund the purchase. In addition, LJPF is supported by major lenders in Japan, including syndicate loans from Japan’s megabanks, government-affiliated financial institutions and life insurance companies.

Launched in November 2019 with an investment of JPY 61 billion (US$560 million), LJPF is an open-ended private placement core fund that invests in four major asset classes – logistics, residential, retail and offices – in four major metropolitan areas, namely Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. The 16 properties in the LJPF portfolio have all been selected through LaSalle’s proprietary research and strategy framework, which incorporates all the elements of LaSalle’s DTU+E themes, namely demographic, technology, urbanization and environmental change.

The new assets will further diversify the portfolio by increasing the logistics and multifamily exposure. Demand for residential properties in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, the three largest metropolitan areas in Japan, is expected to remain stable in the post COVID-19 era, because of the employment opportunities, along with high-quality education and healthcare services. These areas also offer a rich array of excellent urban amenities.

Keith Fujii, Head of Asia Pacific at LaSalle Investment Management, said: “These are attractive, well-located quality assets that diversify the portfolio and will provide a steady income. In Tokyo, despite the pandemic, we are seeing relatively stable wages and tight labor markets, which will continue to support the multifamily sector. In the logistics sector, positive real estate fundamentals, continued e-commerce penetration and our ability to execute successfully are the reasons why we find this sector desirable.”

Ryota Morioka, Executive Officer at LaSalle Investment Management, K.K. and LJPF Fund Manager, said: “We believe that logistics facilities and residential housing in major metropolitan areas will continue to generate stable income despite the market uncertainties brought about by the pandemic. In light of the increasing global demand for investment, LaSalle continues to view Japan as a promising investment market, and will keep driving to maximize investor profits by building a diversified portfolio of high-quality, stable core assets.”

About LaSalle Investment Management

LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world’s leading real estate investment managers. On a global basis, we manage approximately $77 billion of assets in private equity, debt and public real estate investments as of Q4 2021. The firm sponsors a complete range of investment vehicles including open- and closed-end funds, separate accounts and indirect investments. Our diverse client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. For more information please visit www.lasalle.com and LinkedIn.

NOTE: This information discussed above is based on the market analysis and expectations of LaSalle and should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding LaSalle funds or any issuer or security in particular. The information presented herein is for illustrative and educational purposes and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law or where contrary to local law or regulation. Any such offer to invest, if made, will only be made to certain qualified investors by means of a private placement memorandum or applicable offering document and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Past performance is not indicative of future results, nor should any statements herein be construed as a prediction or guarantee of future results.

LaSalle Investment Management (LaSalle) announced today it has received double honors at the PERE Awards 2020, winning Firm of the Year – Japan and Firm of the Year – France.

One of the leading publications for the world’s private real estate markets, PERE has a readership of more than 35,000 professionals worldwide and the PERE awards are based on a unique industry poll that recognizes firms and individuals whose work gives shape and purpose to the sector. For a complete list of the PERE Awards 2020, visit this page.

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Keith Fujii, Asia Pacific CEO at LaSalle, said: “We are proud to be recognized by the real estate industry as Firm of the Year – Japan. This award is a testament to our team in Japan, who completed a number of diverse real estate opportunities in major markets across the country, including acquisitions, dispositions, developments, asset management and leasing. Despite the challenging year, we were also incredibly pleased to complete the global public offering of LaSalle Logiport REIT in September, which was the first global public offering of a Japanese real estate investment since the start of COVID-19.”

Philip La Pierre, Europe CEO at LaSalle, said: “It is an honour to have won the PERE award for Firm of the Year – France and it is a reflection of our team’s determination to succeed. Being recognized by our industry peers is a huge achievement, so we are delighted to celebrate this. Our team managed several high calibre transactions in France last year, positioning the firm as one of the country’s most active investment managers. We look forward to building on this recognition, while focusing on our clients and strong performance.” 

About LaSalle Investment Management 

LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world’s leading real estate investment managers. On a global basis, we manage approximately $77 billion of assets in private equity, debt and public real estate investments as of Q4 2021. The firm sponsors a complete range of investment vehicles including open- and closed-end funds, separate accounts and indirect investments. Our diverse client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. For more information please visit www.lasalle.com and LinkedIn.

NOTE: This information discussed above is based on the market analysis and expectations of LaSalle and should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding LaSalle funds or any issuer or security in particular. The information presented herein is for illustrative and educational purposes and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law or where contrary to local law or regulation. Any such offer to invest, if made, will only be made to certain qualified investors by means of a private placement memorandum or applicable offering document and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Past performance is not indicative of future results, nor should any statements herein be construed as a prediction or guarantee of future results.

JLL (NYSE: JLL) has been again named to Fortune magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies list. The list is a major authority on corporate reputations compiled each year by Fortune and Korn Ferry through a survey of 3,820 executives, directors and securities analysts. This year, JLL was recognized for social responsibility, global competitiveness and quality of management. 

“JLL’s purpose is to shape the future of real estate for a better world, working in close partnership with our clients and all our stakeholders,” said Christian Ulbrich, JLL CEO. “We are therefore very proud to again be included on Fortune’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies.” 

LaSalle is a wholly owned subsidiary of JLL and is proud to share in this achievement.

Read more about this award on JLL.com

LaSalle Investment Management (“LaSalle”), the global real estate investment manager, today announced it has completed the global public offering of LaSalle Logiport REIT (“LLR”), raising newly issued equity capital of 48.5 billion yen (approximately USD 456 million) on the back of strong demand from Japanese institutional trusts, regional banks, international institutional investors and retail investors in Japan. This marks the first global public offering of a Japanese real estate investment trust (“J-REIT”) since the start of the global Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020.

LaSalle’s logistics-focused J-REIT, LLR, will use the net proceeds of its latest public offering to acquire ownership interests in four logistics facilities: Logiport Kawasaki Bay and Logiport Shinmoriya located in the Tokyo Area as well as Logiport Amagasaki and Logiport Sakai located in the Osaka Area. With these acquisitions, LLR’s portfolio consists of 18 assets, totaling 1.9 million square meters, with total assets under management of 317.8 billion yen (approximately USD 3 billion).

Mark Gabbay, CEO Asia Pacific of LaSalle Investment Management, said: “With LLR, we are responding to strong investor appetite for quality logistics assets in Japan. Going forward, we will continue to grow and strengthen our portfolio with an active management strategy that leverages the global investment management knowledge of the LaSalle Group, as well as the deep expertise of our on-the-ground team.”

Keith Fujii, CEO and President of Japan at LaSalle Investment Management, said: “Robust growth in e-commerce and the drive for supply chain efficiencies, together with the institutionalization of logistics facilities as a real asset in Japan, continue to boost demand for modern logistics properties. Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, we are confident that both investors and tenants will continue to recognize the value of large-scale, high-performance logistics facilities.”

LaSalle has a long track record in Japanese logistics, having completed more than 2.36 million square meters in new development, 1.98 million square meters in new acquisitions, and 3.77 million square meters in leasing activity over the past 17 years. Since its debut in February 2016, LLR has doubled its assets under management and increased enterprise value by 2.6 times. LaSalle currently manages over USD 4 billion of logistics investments in Asia across key markets including Japan, Korea and China.

About LaSalle Investment Management 

LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world’s leading real estate investment managers. On a global basis, we manage approximately $77 billion of assets in private equity, debt and public real estate investments as of Q4 2021. The firm sponsors a complete range of investment vehicles including open- and closed-end funds, separate accounts and indirect investments. Our diverse client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. For more information please visit www.lasalle.com and LinkedIn.

NOTE: This information discussed above is based on the market analysis and expectations of LaSalle and should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding LaSalle funds or any issuer or security in particular. The information presented herein is for illustrative and educational purposes and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law or where contrary to local law or regulation. Any such offer to invest, if made, will only be made to certain qualified investors by means of a private placement memorandum or applicable offering document and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Past performance is not indicative of future results, nor should any statements herein be construed as a prediction or guarantee of future results.

LaSalle Investment Management (“LaSalle”), the global real estate investment manager, is pleased to announce the launch of the LaSalle Japan Property Fund (the “Fund”), a private open-ended core real estate fund.

The Fund invests in core properties in Japan and launched with JPY 61 billion (US$560 million) of initial equity commitments from Japanese investors along with loans extended by major Japanese financial institutions.

The initial portfolio includes six assets that have been selected based on LaSalle’s Research and Strategy framework of Demographic, Technology and Urbanization (“DTU”), for a purchase price of JPY 105 billion (US$965 million). The Fund will invest mainly in the Japanese cities of Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka in diversified assets across the office, industrial, retail and multifamily sectors. The Fund aims to grow to JPY 200 billion (US$1.8 billion) in three years and JPY 300 billion (US$2.7 billion) in five years.

The Fund will leverage the established platform of LaSalle, one of the world’s leading dedicated real estate firms, with broad experience managing diversified open-ended core funds, including similar offerings in the US, Canada and Europe. The Fund held its initial closing with commitments from Japanese investors and will target capital from international investors in the future.

Mark Gabbay, CEO, LaSalle Asia Pacific, said: “We are excited to launch our first private open-ended core fund in Asia with a sizeable initial portfolio that, given its high asset quality, potential to generate strong recurring cash flows and desirable locations, directly aligns with the vehicle’s investment parameters. Japan’s large, transparent real estate market is one we know very well, providing us with a sustainable competitive advantage as we invest into core assets. This advances some of our global and Asia Pacific regional strategies which is to target core assets with stable income generation and to offer our global investors access to a suite of products comprising a diverse range of real estate investments.”

Keith Fujii, CEO, LaSalle Japan, said: “The creation of the LaSalle Japan Property Fund following the launch of the publicly traded J-REIT in 2016- LaSalle Logiport REIT, enhances our products with core investment strategies in Japan. Along with our strength in opportunistic investments and asset development capabilities, we are strong believers in the long-term potential of the Japanese real estate market. We are an experienced team of professionals with a strong track-record of transactional execution, leasing, asset management and investment performance in the Japanese market and aim to build a high-quality portfolio of income-producing assets.”

Ryota Morioka, Fund Manager, LaSalle Japan Property Fund, said: “Strong market fundamentals across Japan, combined with transparent capital markets, depth of existing stock and high barriers-to-entry make the core real estate market a compelling strategy in the current environment. For LaSalle Japan Property Fund, we seek to leverage our existing relationships in the office, retail, industrial and multifamily sectors to create a high-quality, diversified portfolio of stabilized core assets.”

This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in the Fund. A private offering of interests in the relevant Fund vehicle is being made only to certain qualified investors pursuant to the applicable confidential private placement memorandum. Within the European Economic Area (EEA), the Fund is only available to professional investors in EEA member states where marketing has been registered or authorized in accordance with local requirements. A full list of the relevant EEA member states is available from LaSalle on request.

About LaSalle Investment Management

LaSalle Investment Management is one of the world’s leading real estate investment managers. On a global basis, we manage approximately $77 billion of assets in private equity, debt and public real estate investments as of Q4 2021. The firm sponsors a complete range of investment vehicles including open- and closed-end funds, separate accounts and indirect investments. Our diverse client base includes public and private pension funds, insurance companies, governments, corporations, endowments and private individuals from across the globe. For more information please visit www.lasalle.com and LinkedIn.

NOTE: This information discussed above is based on the market analysis and expectations of LaSalle and should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding LaSalle funds or any issuer or security in particular. The information presented herein is for illustrative and educational purposes and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law or where contrary to local law or regulation. Any such offer to invest, if made, will only be made to certain qualified investors by means of a private placement memorandum or applicable offering document and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Past performance is not indicative of future results, nor should any statements herein be construed as a prediction or guarantee of future results.