Naoki Suzuki, president and CEO of Japan Metropolitan Fund Investment Corp. (TYO: 8953), sat down for a video interview during Nareit’s REITweek: 2025 Investor Conference in New York City on June 2-5.
Suzuki outlined how the firm adapted to Japan’s shifting economic landscape. With inflation reaching levels unseen in more than three decades, Suzuki emphasized the opportunity for rental income growth, particularly in urban centers. “The market is missing a very important point, which is return of rental growth,” he said, highlighting how population flow into large cities supports urban asset performance.
JMF, traditionally a passive income-focused REIT, has pivoted under the sponsorship of KKR to a more active investment approach. “We changed our investment strategy to more active asset management, focusing on total return investment,” Suzuki explained.
The firm is prioritizing cash flow growth from its current portfolio, recycling underperforming assets, and reinvesting proceeds into high-potential urban properties. In the near term, Suzuki identified urban retail as the most promising sector, benefiting from strong consumer recovery and increasing inbound tourism.