Investing in Japanese real estate, and how you can do so through Singapore structures. Joint event by APREA and Sanne Group

Sigrid is the Chief Executive Officer of Asia Pacific Real Assets Association (APREA). Based in Singapore, she is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, initiatives and operations of the association across Asia Pacific. Under her leadership, APREA repositioned to an industry trade group focusing on real estate and infrastructure.

Sigrid joined APREA’s executive team in January 2019.

Prior to APREA, she served as Managing Director of Asia Pacific Research and Advisory Services of Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) from 2010 through 2018, where she was responsible for research, thought leadership, strategy formulation and client management.  Before relocating to Singapore, she was based in Washington, D.C. and led C&W’s U.S. research group in the Mid-Atlantic region, overseeing all aspects of market research activities in the Washington, DC; Virginia; Suburban Maryland, Baltimore; and Philadelphia areas. Prior to joining C&W, Sigrid served as a Senior Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In that position, she developed NAR’s office, warehouse, retail, multi-family housing, and international research programs.

A recognized expert in global economic, public policy and real estate issues, Sigrid is a frequent speaker at industry events.  Her commentary on commercial and residential real estate markets is also regularly featured in a wide array of global publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Bloomberg, New York Times and Reuters. Additionally, she has made several television appearances on financial networks and radio such as CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN, National Public Radio and Channel News Asia.

Sigrid holds a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management and a Master’s degree in Economics from Pennsylvania State University. She is a member of several civic groups including the Rotary Club of Raffles City in Singapore, where she has served in various leadership positions, and serves in the Executive Committee of the Crohn’s & Colitis Society of Singapore.

From 2015 to 2023, he served as the President & CEO of Sumisho Realty Management, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation, and expanded its AUM to over ¥700 billion. He diversified the firm's investments in structures such as SOSiLA Logistic REIT(publicly-traded) and SC Realty Private REIT(privately-placed) alongside a broad spectrum of separate accounts.

Earlier, at Sumitomo Corporation, he held pivotal roles and managed a comprehensive real estate portfolio in both Japan and the US, encompassing residential, commercial, and logistics sectors.

From 2024 to April 2025, he served as Director and Head of Strategic Business Division at ES-CON Japan. He is currently with Fortress Investment Group, where he is engaged in J-REIT related operations.

He graduated from Kyoto University in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture. Also, he is a licensed architect in Japan, an esteemed ARES Certified Master, APREA Board Member/Japan Chapter Chairperson and RICS Japan, MEG Co-chairperson (FRICS).

Mark joined Sanne in 2019. In Mark’s role as Head of Sanne Japan, he works with business leaders in Sanne's other Asia-Pacific based offices and globally to provide services to existing real estate clients in the region. Mark is focused on expanding Sanne's client base to global investment managers and asset owners who are looking for local Japanese solutions; Japanese investors who are seeking offshore solutions; and domestic Japanese investors, investment managers and asset owners who are seeking solutions to invest within Japan.

Background and Experience

Mark joined Sanne from State Street Trust and Banking, Japan, where he held the position of Chief Operating Officer for four and a half years, during which he was responsible for all aspects of banking, trustee and accounting work for the entire Operations organisation in Japan, with a team of over 300 people. Prior to this, Mark worked with Goldman Sachs Asset Management for 13 years, the first eight years in London, responsible for the funds business in Ireland, Luxembourg and Cayman. For the last five years, Mark was based in Japan with the additional responsibility for the funds businesses in Australia, China, Korea and India.

Qualifications and Memberships

• Qualified with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Languages

• Japanese

Yosuke Fujioka is the Head of Investments & Fund Management of GLP Japan. He is in charge of fund management in Japan, and has been with GLP since 2009. Prior to the current role, Yosuke served as the Senior Vice President of Fund Management Department of GLP Singapore, where he was in charge of raising capital for and managing the GLP’s fund management platform globally. Yosuke also served as the Vice President of Asset Management Department of GLP Japan, where he was responsible for managing GLP Japan Income Partners I, a US$ 1.0 billion AUM joint venture with CIC and CBRE Global Investors formed in December 2011. Prior to GLP, he worked with Prologis as an asset manager of a portfolio of US$ 6.0 billion, which was listed in October 2010 on the main board of SGX.

Yosuke graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Commerce from Keio University.

Tobias has been with EY tax since 1983. He returned to EY Tokyo in 2019 with a focus on advising Real Estate, Private Equity and Sovereign Wealth (SWFs) Funds on their investments in(to) Japan.

From 2010-2018, he was the partner in charge of the EY UAE (Abu Dhabi/Dubai) tax practice. He worked with SWFs, Private Equity and other Funds, Financial Institutions and large (family) corporations.

Prior to his time in the Middle East, he was a tax partner at EY Japan (1995-2010). In that period, his focus was on Japan inbound RE and PE Fund investment structuring as well as on wider Japan inbound M&A transactions. Before joining the Tokyo EY practice in 1995, he worked at EY London and EY Netherlands.

Tobias has been dealing extensively with the tax aspects of Fund structuring and Fund transactions, especially covering cross border private equity and real estate transaction tax structuring.

Tobias holds master degrees in Netherlands civil law and tax law.

Joshua Isenberg is a partner in the Morrison & Foerster LLP’s Real Estate Group based in Tokyo. Mr. Isenberg’s practice includes a wide variety of real estate transactions, including senior and mezzanine financing, acquisitions, sales, construction and development matters, joint ventures, and ground leases.

Jing Jing joined Sanne in 2010. As Managing Director, Jing Jing is responsible for leading Sanne's Asia-Pacific business and driving the strategy to expand Sanne’s presence in the APAC region. Jing Jing focuses on providing quality service and building long-term partnerships with existing clients.

Background and Experience

Prior to joining Sanne, Jing Jing qualified in Ernst & Young’s Dublin office and gained four years audit experience in the financial service division.

Qualifications and Memberships

• Qualified member of Chartered Accountants Ireland
• MA in Accounting from University College of Dublin

Languages

• Mandarin
• English

Xander joined Sanne in 2019. In his role as Associate Director of Business Development, Xander is responsible for expanding Sanne's customer base and presence in the APAC region, developing sales strategies and enhancing Sanne's profile within the region.

Xander spent five years with Bloomberg, working within the asset management industry across emerging markets such as the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. Prior to joining Sanne, Xander was responsible for development across Asia-Pacific for Preqin, a leading provider of data, analytics and insights to the alternative assets community.