Chinese investors turn to Tokyo real estate - Wei Gu

+Wei Gu 

Relations between China and Japan might be tense, Chinese companies and individuals spend increasingly their capital in the real estate of Tokyo, writes WSJ wealth editor Wei Gu in her column at the Wall Street Journal.

Wei Gu:

So far this year, Chinese individuals and companies have bought almost $230 million in commercial real estate, more than triple the amount from last year, according to data from Jones Lang LaSalle. British luxury property developer Grosvenor Ltd., owned by the family trust of the Duke of Westminster, is betting the influx of rich Chinese investors will help boost demand for its refurbished apartments in Tokyo’s upscale Roppongi area. 

“One upside scenario for Japan is its relationship with China,” said Nicholas Loup, chief executive of Grosvenor Asia. “There are huge amounts of money flows between both countries. That’s currently below people’s radar screen.” 

The Japanese currency has fallen 25% against the yuan over the past five years, outstripping its 15% fall against the U.S. dollar in the same period. 

Chinese tourist arrivals in Japan hit a record high this year, partly due to the weak yen, spurring investment in vacation homes. Japan has emerged as the most desired travel destination for Chinese this year, according to Travelzoo Asia Pacific. There’s also talk about making it easier for Chinese to apply for multiple-entry visas, which would further spur interest. 

Rich Chinese are among the biggest foreign buyers in New York and Sydney. But other formerly popular investment destinations like Hong Kong and Singapore are becoming more costly due to taxes on nonresidents. In Hong Kong, Chinese buying is one reason real-estate prices have soared, causing social frictions with local residents. 

Foreign buyers see value in Japan. On a square-foot basis, Tokyo property prices in U.S. dollar terms are about half of the levels of comparable areas in Hong Kong, and similar to prices in Beijing and Shanghai. Rental yield can be as high as 6%, compared with 3% in Hong Kong, and about 1% in Beijing.

More at the Wall Street Journal.

Wei Gu is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need her at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers´request form.

Are you interested in more experts on China´s outbound investments? Do check our recent list, or register for our China Investment page. 

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Where are China´s tourists turning to? - Wei Gu

+Wei Gu 

 Hong Kong is loosing its attraction for Chinese tourists. Where are they now going to, wonders WSJ wealth editor Wei Gu in a discussion with Francis Belin from Swarovski. Both Tokyo and Seoul are doing better, but since 96% of the mainland Chinese still do not have a passport, there is room enough for growth, also in Hong Kong.

Wei Gu is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need her at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers´ request form. 

Are you looking for more experts on luxury goods at the China Speakers Bureau? Do have a look at our recent list.

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Taiwanese brand Shiatzy Chen takes on Tokyo - Paul French

Paul French

Taking on the Japanese market is not easy for anybody, and certainly not for Chinese. But Shiatzy Chen, a luxury fashion brand from Taiwan with a 35-year history, seems to be making all the right moves, says retail analyst Paul French in the Women's Wear Daily. 

The Women's Wear Daily: 

Paul French, a China-based analyst, said it makes sense for Shiatzy Chen to target Tokyo.
"[It's] well made and cut nicely for a slimmer hipped, reduced bust figure that suits many women in the region... Wang Chen over there is very canny - she's always seen herself as the Asian region's Chanel - understated, known by the discerning... [those] who want the clothes that say 'Chinese' etc without the quality issues or bling," he said.

More in the Women's Wear Daily.

Paul French is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.

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China says, do not push us around - Shaun Rein

Shaun Rein

Shaun Rein[/caption] China's finance minister is not going to a World Bank and IMF-meeting in Japan, as major sign to the rest of the world: do not push us around, tells business analyst Shaun Rein on Radio Australia.

Radio Australia:

The IMF and World Bank are holding their annual meetings in Tokyo for the first time in 50 years. The Chinese withdrawal marks a new stage in the dispute between Beijing and Tokyo over their conflicting territorial claims in the East China Sea. But it also sends a warning to the rest of the world about how China chooses to deal with it.

For the sound fragment, click here.

Shaun Rein is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.

This week's China Weekly Hangout will be on innovation in China, timely as Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE are under US attack. Check out the announcement here and join us on Thursday.

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