DWS Appoints Koichiro Obu to Head of Real Estate, Japan

DWS today announced that Koichiro Obu has been appointed as Head of Real Estate, Japan in addition to his current role as Head of Real Estate Research, Asia Pacific. In this expanded capacity, Koichiro will report to Singapore-based Christopher Kimm, Head of Real Estate, Asia Pacific, whilst maintaining his existing reporting line to London-based Simon Wallace, Global Co-Head of Real Estate Research, EMEA and APAC.

Koichiro (Ko) joined DWS in 2007 and has 28 years of industry experience. For the past 10 years, Ko has led the real estate research function for APAC supporting the firm’s bottom-up, top-down research driven investment approach. Previously, he was head of real estate research for Japan and South Korea. Prior to joining DWS, Ko served as Head of Real Estate and Construction within Corporate Research at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in Tokyo, as well as a Senior Research Analyst at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in London.

In his expanded position, Ko will be responsible for developing the strategic direction of DWS’s real estate platform in Japan, focusing on capitalizing market opportunities and trends in the local real estate market. Leading a team of investment, asset management and research professionals, he will maintain his long-standing position on the DWS APAC Real Estate Senior Management Team and remains a key member of the DWS APAC Real Estate Investment Committee.

Koichiro Obu, Head of Real Estate, Japan and Head of Real Estate Research, APAC said: “It is an honor to lead the Japan real estate business for DWS and I look forward to continuing our platform’s strong heritage as a leading fiduciary real estate manager.” He added: “Our priority remains focused on crystalizing gains for DWS investors and sourcing attractive investment opportunities across new sectors and strategies leveraging our long-established networks and structuring expertise.”

Christopher Kimm, Head of Real Estate, Asia Pacific said: “Since its establishment more than 20 years ago, our Japan real estate platform has benefited from a strong track record. I am confident in Koichiro’s proven leadership skills and his ability to continue this legacy by optimizing value for our real estate investors.” He concluded: “As an industry veteran, his depth of expertise across real estate disciplines and unique knowledge of the Japan real estate market makes him well placed to reposition our presence in today’s market conditions, as well as create resilience for the future.”Koichiro holds a B.A. in economics from the University of Tokyo. He is the author of DWS’s semiannual “Asia Pacific Real Estate Strategic Outlook” and the real estate research paper, “Japan Quarterly”. Koichiro is a frequent speaker at real estate industry events and conferences across Japan and Asia Pacific.

About DWS Real Estate

DWS has been investing in real estate assets for more than 50 years. As part of the Alternatives platform, the real estate business has nearly 350 employees in over 20 cities around the world and almost EUR 79 billion in global real estate assets under management (June 30, 2023). Providing a diverse range of strategies and solutions across the risk/return and geographic spectrums, we offer core, value-added and opportunistic real estate, real estate debt and real estate securities. The real estate investment business employs a disciplined investment approach and aims to deliver attractive long-term risk adjusted returns, preservation of capital and diversification to its investors, which include governments, corporations, insurance companies, endowments, retirement plans, and private clients worldwide.

About DWS Group

DWS Group (DWS) with EUR 859bn of assets under management (as of 30 June 2023) aspires to be one of the world's leading asset managers. Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.

We offer individuals and institutions access to our strong investment capabilities across all major liquid and illiquid asset classes as well as solutions aligned to growth trends. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management – as well as our deep environmental, sociall and governance focus – complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients. Our expertise and on-the-ground knowledge of our economists, research analysts and investment professionals are brought together in one consistent global CIO View, giving strategic guidance to our investment approach.

DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing. We understand that, both as a corporate as well as a trusted advisor to our clients, we have a crucial role in helping to navigate the transition to a more sustainable future. With approximately 4,400 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are committed to acting on behalf of our clients and investing with their best interests at heart so that they can reach their financial goals, no matter what the future holds. With our entrepreneurial, collaborative spirit, we work every day to deliver outstanding investment results, in both good and challenging times to build the best foundation for our clients’ financial future