Japan’s property markets have long been a safe haven for institutional investors interested in exposure to the Asia Pacific region, but no market has been left unscathed by the pandemic. In May, two months before the postponed Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games are set to take place, Institutional Real Estate Asia Pacific senior editor Dr Jennifer Molloy spoke with three experts on Japan, and their responses are collected below. The Q&A includes Dr Yang Liang Chua, head of group research and analytics, ARA Asset Management; Tetsuya Karasawa, managing director and head of real estate, Japan, JP Morgan Asset Management; and Hamish MacDonald, managing director and head of investments for Asia Pacific real estate, BlackRock Real Assets.

A year after the pandemic caused the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games, opening ceremonies are set for 23 July 2021. With all eyes on Tokyo,