For close to a decade, FM Investment (FMI) has been a leading provider of dedicated end-to-end real estate investment and management client services.

Now, armed with years of expertise in the Japanese property market, FMI is hosting a Japan Expo at Shangri-la Singapore on Sunday, Sept 24. This will be a rare chance for Singapore-based investors to rub shoulders with leading Japanese developers and find out more about their projects and specialities. Attendees will also get the chance to learn from subject matter experts on a range of topics, from consumer and investment advice to local regulations and finance issues.

For Amous Lee, CEO and founding partner of FMI, the one-day event highlights the company’s close ties to key players in Japan, and the company’s mission to educate Singapore-based investors on the un[1]tapped potential of the Japanese real estate market. FMI’s COO and partner, Nicky So, will also make an appearance.

“Since we established FMI in 2014, the agency has grown from strength to strength, especially in the Japanese real estate market where we have helped connect up-and-coming local developers to a host of international investors,” says Lee. “This Japan Expo will be a showcase for new and existing clients of FMI that underscores our dominance and wealth of expertise in the Japanese property market.”

The Japanese real estate market has long been a magnet for institutional investors, investment firms, and even savvy retail investors as it is characterised by high-quality assets in key cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Yokohama.

Investing in Japan requires a deep understanding of the economic, geographic, and cultural complexities that colour its property segments. This can intimidate all types of overseas investors.

This is where FMI’s full suite of consultancy services come in. With teams working the ground in Japan, as well as front-facing staff in Singapore, FMI specialises in facilitating the investment journey of individuals, developers, and fund managers keen to grow their portfolio of Japanese properties.

“Together with our subsidiary, FMI Japan, we are able to provide the latest information on the market movements and investment trends shaping all sectors of the Japanese real estate market,” says Lee.

Over the years, FMI has accumulated dozens of success stories of helping clients to find the right assets that match their risk appetite, managing their portfolio to generate strong returns, and advising on capital recycling strategies.

Mark Phooi, who invested in an en bloc property through FMI Japan, says: “The FMI team was able to discern my investment needs and assist me in finding the right kind of property to buy. It hastened my decision-making process.”

FMI stands out for its full suite of end-to-end client services and strong emphasis on relationship management — from asset acquisition, finance advice, portfolio management, and asset disposals.

“The FMI team were responsive to all my queries and provided me with all the investment details I asked for. Most important for me, FMI is one of the few agencies I know which can provide a complete turnkey investment solution with an exit plan,” says Phooi.

He adds that the degree of client support he received greatly reduced the common pain points frequently associated with overseas property investment. “I am setting aside a bigger budget for future acquisitions, in order to expand my Japanese real estate portfolio,” he shares.

Paul Dunn, a Hong Kong-based investor, was impressed by the depth of industry knowledge shown by the FMI team. “Beyond selling an investment property, the FMI team educated me on the possibilities of the market and investment climate, which are important investment considerations for me,” he says. He adds that site visits to Osaka, together with Amous and his team, greatly added to his understanding of the local area.

Dunn bought a unit at The Peak Chiyozaki~Osaka Dome in Osaka with help from FMI. He is also gearing up to purchase two more Japanese properties from FMI Japan in the coming months.

At the upcoming Japan Expo, attendees will have a chance to meet a variety of Japanese developers. Leveraging on its close relationships with leading Japanese development companies, FMI is bringing them to Singapore to share more about their projects.

“A goal for FMI has always been to work closely with experienced but relatively unknown Japanese developers. As we keep a close eye on the Japanese residential market, our teams often spot promising local development companies that are on a strong growth trajectory,” says Lee.

The development companies showcased at the Japan Expo are listed and top companies with a long-standing track record and projects with a high capital value.

One of FMI’s Japanese partners is Takara Leben, a Tokyo-based real estate development company that was established in 1989. The company specialises in the development, planning, and sales of newly built condominiums in Japan, as well as other businesses in real estate leasing. Takara Leben has a capitalisation of JPY400 million ($3.8 million).

Another experienced Japanese developer brought in by FMI is Nissei Advance Group. Founded in 2001, the developer is headquartered in Osaka and its business arms include condominium development and distribution, land-use business, insurance and financial planning.

“We are excited to open the doors for Singapore investors to get to know these companies at our Japan Expo. Our Japanese partners are also keen to reach out to investors here, and several of them will launch their projects for the first time to an international crowd of investors,” says Lee.

In addition, several Japanese projects will be on show. These include three Osaka-based developments – The Peak Namba Minami, in Naniwa Ward; The Peak Shinsaibashi Elite, in Chuo Ward; and The Marq, in Tennoji Ward. A project in Kobe called Advance Kobe Reysole, in Hyogo Ward, will also be on display.

Expo attendees will also have the first look at several off-market Japanese en bloc properties listed by FMI Japan, and the opportunity to invest in their redevelopment and future new units.

Attendees will be able to pose questions to the subject matter experts that FMI will fly in for this event. These include Japan-based bankers and solicitors, and FMI’s Japan-based team of buying agents.

Prominent guest speakers include Nobuhiko Inuzuka, an immigration lawyer who specialises as an administrative and regulatory solicitor, as well as Koyo Shokuhin, CEO of Japanese construction company Koueigen Co.

Lee says: “We hope to drum up consumer awareness on the Japan property market through various consumer talks we are organising on the day. It has always been our mission to share our knowledge and help educate investors.”

Topics include mortgages in Japan, loan qualifications and documents required, forecasts of the interest rate environment in Japan, as well as concerns about how investing in Japan might affect any outstanding properties in Singapore.

The talks will cover how to capitalise on the first casino integrated resort in Osaka; en bloc properties in Japan; and maximising rental opportunities to generate constant passive income.

Lee will also share his first-hand knowledge and expertise. He and his partner So are industry veterans with a combined experience of more than 30 years in international real estate markets.

“Some of the frequently asked questions I get are the common pitfalls that investors looking to enter Japan need to be aware of. This can range from the type of asset to invest in, to the age of the property they are considering. Japan has also a myriad of rental regulations that will overwhelm first-time and even some experienced investors,” says Lee.

FMI’s Japan Expo is a rare chance for new investors to familiarise themselves with the investment options open to them in Japan. Experienced investors can also find new opportunities while mingling with Japanese developers, experts, and property buying agents.