Important Information
This site has been created for exclusive use by institutional investors only and does not take into account investment objectives, financial situation or specific needs of any individual investor. Information should not be the sole basis for any investment decision.
If you are not an institutional client, consultant or financial professional and are looking for more information about mutual funds and other products at Nuveen, please visit our site at www.nuveen.com.
Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. All investments involve some degree of risk including loss of principal. Investment objectives may not be met.
By agreeing you are confirming you are being truthful, acknowledging you have read the information above and accept the terms and conditions set out with this site and meeting the intended audience requirement for this site. Not all content on this site is appropriate or applicable for the general public and we cannot guarantee consequences with the use of this information by unauthorized or unintended users. Content on this site may not be redistributed and is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or provide a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.
Nuveen appoints Shusaku Watanabe as Head of Japan Real Estate
Watanabe has relocated to Japan from Singapore, where he was previously director of Asia Pacific capital markets, to assume his new role. He will lead the continued expansion of Nuveen's portfolio of Japanese assets, in addition to serving as fund manager for the Tokyo Multifamily Partnership launched in 2018.
"We look forward to having Shu join our highly capable team in Japan, where they can tap into his wealth of experience in managing institutional real estate investment strategies," Nick Evans, Nuveen's head of Asia Pacific Real Estate, said. "Japan is a key investment market for Nuveen Real Estate, and we see strong growth potential in this highly sophisticated market."
With more than 20 years of experience in the asset management industry, Watanabe was responsible for driving Nuveen's acquisition programme in Asia when he first joined the firm in 2016. In the same year, he completed Nuveen's debut investment in Japan with the purchase of a commercial building in Tokyo's Ginza district.
Since then, Watanabe has led numerous further acquisitions across the country, bringing the firm's total AUM across Japan to approximately US$1.2 billion, spanning several multifamily, logistics and commercial assets. Most recently these included the acquisition of two portfolios of multifamily properties in 2020 for c. $310 million and a 50 percent stake in a logistics asset located in Greater Tokyo in December 2019.
"Our real estate investment in Japan has grown over the last four years at a steady pace of about US$300m per annum., building up a resilient portfolio," Watanabe commented. "Going forward, we plan to maintain our growth rate by formulating investment theses and identifying opportunities beyond current market cycles, while being cognisant of the dynamic capital market conditions and accelerating changes in lifestyle."
Nuveen opened its first Japanese office in Tokyo in September 2018. The office currently offers both real estate capabilities and advisory services. Advisory services is led by Michinobu Suzuki, Head of Japan.

This press release is intended for trade press only. Please do not redistribute.
Issued by Nuveen Real Estate Management Limited, 201 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3BN. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Nuveen Real Estate is a name under which Nuveen Real Estate Management Limited provides investment products and services.
Nuveen Real Estate is a real estate investment management holding company owned by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA). Nuveen Real Estate securities products distributed in North America are advised by UK regulated subsidiaries or Nuveen Alternatives Advisors LLC a registered investment advisor and wholly owned subsidiary of TIAA, and distributed by Nuveen Securities, LLC, member FINRA.