In recent years, the awareness of environmental, social and governance (ESG) concepts and their utilisation have rapidly grown in Japanese markets and real estate sectors, led by market leaders in government sectors as well as institutional players.

Recurring themes accelerated by the pandemic are top of mind for institutional property investors looking to capitalise on — and receive income production from — high-value assets.

South Korea’s US$672 billion National Pension Service is increasing its push into real assets around the world, with three prominent partnerships announced in December 2020.

According to JLL, there are three factors that, once aligned, will shift how investors view assets and how occupiers and consumers use real estate across Asia Pacific: economic recovery is likely in many markets; new dynamics influencing how people work, live and play will become more obvious; and pre-COVID real estate trends will continue to accelerate.