"Japan has progressed to a post-pandemic state, with domestic demand and inbound tourism making a strong comeback. While this will certainly mean improvement for the overall retail sector, there are road bumps including the inflationary environment and a shortage of labour that will have an adverse impact, especially on mid-market retail which may take longer to recover. Nonetheless, retail assets will benefit from increasing popularity due to their rental prospects."

"Tokyo’s ultra-luxury residential market has grown considerably over the past half-decade on the back of multiple large-scale developments that have reshaped the heart of the city, Tokyo’s large number of UHNWIs, and a shift in preferences toward living in prime central locations. Within ultra-luxury residences, leasing has grown to become an increasingly attractive option for many relatively young and newly wealthy people due to the flexibility it provides."

"The retail sector continues to experience a gradual recovery, although many subprime locations still lag. Lifestyle changes induced by the pandemic will likely influence the function and location of retail space going forward. While the resumption of visa-free travel will further improve the sector, benefits may be moderate due to uncertainties in the global economy."

"While the Tokyo office market as a whole continues to see modest corrections, submarket and property-level performance varies, and the divergence between overperformers and underperformers has become increasingly clear. Going forward, we expect a gradual improvement of overall market conditions, although a slowdown of the global economy could delay recovery. "

"The regional residential markets remain steady supported by stable demographic trends. Unlike Tokyo, the pandemic has not substantially affected demand in those markets, and rents have generally continued to grow moderately. With urbanisation expected to continue, the fundamentals of these regional markets appear sound. "

"Although Tokyo’s ultra-luxury residential market is considered relatively new, it is growing rapidly and has gained popularity over time. Indeed, some recent projects in this sector have proven successful, illustrating that substantial demand exists for the right products. Current developments in the pipeline will add new ultra-luxury units into the market and likely raise the top prices of the market to levels equivalent to those seen in Manhattan and London."

"Fukuoka's residential market remains sound with its fundamentals underpinned by its positive migration and vibrant business environment. The city's compact and convenient layout, young demographics, and accommodating stance towards new ideas are attractive characteristics. Major redevelopment projects such as Tenjin Big Bang and Hakata Connected should further boost the city's growth. "

"As a regional hub, Nagoya attracts and retains people, which in turn supports demand for the city's residential market. While the population growth in Nagoya is moderate, some submarkets have exhibited stronger growth than others. Furthermore, ongoing redevelopment should further enhance Nagoya's attractiveness. "

"With the pandemic potentially reshaping Japan’s property markets, we have striven to keep our readership updated throughout the year on the latest trends and possible outcomes, whilst also shedding light on promising opportunities."

"Even amidst historically high supply levels, the logistics market remains strong as tenant demand for conveniently located, high-specification facilities is on the rise. Greater Osaka in particular has been improving performance since the market was disrupted by oversupply in 2017. Property investors have generally adopted a more bullish attitude towards the sector, and investment volumes appear set to rise in the second half of 2019."