M&G Real Estate Promotes Seiko Ikeda to Head of Japan 

M&G Real Estate has promoted Seiko Ikeda to head of Japan, as one of Europe’s largest asset managers moves to upgrade its team in one of its primary markets in Asia Pacific.

“We are delighted to promote Seiko to lead the Japan team. Her depth and breadth of experience make her ideally placed to drive M&G’s growth in Japan,” M&G chief executive officer and chief investment officer for Asia, Jing Dong Lai said in a statement. “We are fortunate to have someone of her calibre and expertise lead our operations in a key Asian market.”

Ikeda joined the real estate division of UK fund manager M&G Investments, which manages $48 billion in assets globally, in 2016 as part of the acquisitions team in Singapore and was appointed director of acquisitions in Japan in 2018, where she reports to Lai.

In January, M&G said Japan was one of its top investment destinations this year, along with Australia and Singapore, and in March paid $424 million to acquire a portfolio of 30 Japanese residential properties from Blackstone.

25-Year Veteran

M&G said Ikeda was instrumental in the firm’s most recent deals, including the Blackstone acquisition as well as the purchase of a prime office asset in Osaka, and has also led several logistics transactions.

During last year M&G twice invested in ESR warehouse projects in Japan, buying a 40 percent stake in a facility near Nagoya port for $91 million in August, and picking up 25 percent of a Tokyo warehouse for $217 million in May.

Ikeda has over 25 years of experience in finance and professional services, and was director of business development for GE Japan for more than seven years before joining M&G, according to her LinkedIn profile. The Keio University graduate also served as a project manager for Roland Berger for more than five years and vice president at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation for more than two years.

Booming Market

Ikeda’s promotion comes as overseas investors increasingly target Japanese real estate investments, both in the rental residential and office segments.

“The Japanese market continues to attract significant interest from investors from around the world, looking to tap into the country’s post-pandemic recovery,” Ikeda said, adding that she looks forward to continuing to bring high-quality investment opportunities to clients.

In addition to its Japanese warehouse deals last year, M&G also picked up a pair of Osaka apartment buildings for $50 million in May 2021.