Profile
After gaining experience in real estate brokerage for both individual and corporate clients, I. M. moved into asset acquisitions at a real estate fund management company. She joined KJRM with the aim of taking on the challenge of assessing and structuring a broader range of assets to develop versatile capabilities. She seeks to become a real estate acquisitions professional with the capability to handle diverse asset types, from industrial properties, such as logistics facilities, to retail properties and offices. At the same time, as a mother, she continues to balance her career with family life.
Department
Investment
KJRM Holdings
KJRM Holdings
The Investment team is responsible for acquiring new assets to be included in the portfolios of Japan Metropolitan Fund Investment Corporation (JMF), Industrial & Infrastructure Fund Investment Corporation (IIF) and KJRM Private Solutions. Through their ongoing management, the team plays a key role in expanding KJRM’s assets under management.
Working in an Environment That Embraced My Desire
to Keep Challenging Myself at Any Life Stage
I have always enjoyed working in real estate. In my previous role I was involved in property acquisitions for listed REITs, and I found the work both meaningful and intellectually stimulating. However, the range of asset types I could evaluate there was somewhat limited, and I began looking for a new environment where I could take on a wider variety of properties.
After getting married and having a child, my husband and I entered an especially busy phase of life. Thinking about where our family might be in 10 years, I realized I did not want to hold back professionally simply because I was raising a child. I wanted to continue growing and taking on challenges without compromising my own development.
KJRM accepted these feelings of mine in the most natural way. Rather than viewing the fact that I was raising a child as a disadvantage, their response was simply: “So you want to keep challenging yourself—then please join us.” Being welcomed in such an open and supportive way felt like a truly fortunate opportunity.
Dividing a Substantial Workload
Among Specialized Teams to Advance
Large-Scale Projects Efficiently
What surprised me most after joining the company was how finely structured the acquisition process is, with responsibilities divided among highly specialized teams. In many real estate fund management firms, one person often controls the entire process—from due diligence through structuring—until the newly acquired property is handed over to the fund management division.
At KJRM, by contrast, acquisition operations requiring specialist skills are broken down into discrete components and handled by dedicated teams. Beginning with the assessment of the risk and growth potential of real estate assets to the design of the optimal management structure, highly specialized work and the substantial volume of administrative work are carried out efficiently. Because professionals in each team take ownership, investment staff members can focus with great confidence on coordinating the deal as the overall orchestrator.
This high-level “One Team” collaboration also enables us to take on innovative deal structures that are still new within the industry. For those in investment roles, it is an environment where you gain a broad perspective of the asset while deepening expertise in each specialized area.
Maximizing the Potential of Even a First-Year Idea
with the Strength of a Veteran Team
The first project I led as the primary person in charge had been under negotiation for several years before I took over, and it had only just begun to move forward.
A logistics company wanted to transition part of its portfolio to an asset-light model by selling several long-held logistics facilities. However, aligning the properties the seller wished to divest with those appropriate for inclusion into IIF’s portfolio—and determining appropriate rent levels if the seller remained a tenant after the sale—required careful problem-solving, step by step, to reach mutual agreement.
In situations like this, KJRM’s “One Team” structure was truly invaluable. When I shared an issue I was facing, each team approached it constructively and explored possibilities. Based on my prior experience, I had expected more negative reactions such as, “That structure won’t work.” Instead, the supportive mindset was a welcome surprise.
Overcoming Complex Large-Scale Projects
Through “One Team” Collaboration
Even after I became the lead, it took nearly another full year before we were finally able to reach the final contract stage.
In the last month, I found myself constantly thinking: “Will we be able to execute the funding smoothly?” “Will all required documents be ready by the deadline?” I even had sleepless nights—and dreams of disappointing the team if the deal failed. So when we successfully closed, celebrating together with heartfelt “Congratulations!” was unforgettable. The relief was immense.
The ability to take on large-scale projects and complex structures proactively is one of the greatest strengths of KJRM’s team-based approach. I believe KJRM is an ideal company for people who can openly communicate with their team members about what they want to take on and the kinds of deals they want to achieve.
With experience, I feel I have gradually become more confident in expressing my own ideas as well.
Going
“Beyond Comfort Zone”
Taking on Challenges
Without Limits
My current goal is to take on asset types I have never worked with before and continue expanding my professional experience.
Real estate fund structuring and management is a mature business, and certain patterns established in deal structures. However, relying solely on conventional frameworks can cause us to miss opportunities. Taking on new structures with bold thinking beyond fixed boundaries will be essential for KJRM’s continued growth.
As a member of the acquisitions team at the forefront of the business process, I want to keep embracing a mindset of going “Beyond Comfort Zone” and continue taking on new challenges.
The employee’s department and interview content are as of the time of the interview.
