Japan Real Estate Investment Corporation

JA

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Manager

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SFDR SUSTAINABILITY-RELATED DISCLOSURE

Product Name: Japan Real Estate Investment Corporation

Japan Real Estate Investment Corporation (“JRE”) promotes environmental and social characteristics, but does not have as its objective a sustainable investment within the meaning of Article 9(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 (“SFDR”). JRE has no employees in accordance with the prohibition on having employees under the Act on Investment Trusts and Investment Corporations of Japan, and relies on Japan Real Estate Asset Management Co., Ltd. (the “Asset Manager”) to manage and operate the properties in JRE’s portfolio. JRE and the Asset Manager are hereinafter referred to collectively as “we”, “us” or “our” unless noted otherwise. References to “fiscal year” or “FY” are to the 12 months began or beginning April 1 of the year specified in line with the fiscal year of the Asset Manager, unless noted otherwise.

Summary

No sustainable investment objective The financial product offered by JRE promotes environmental or social characteristics, but does not have as its objective sustainable investment.
Environmental or social characteristics of the financial product We are committed to pursuing social sustainability, making socially responsible investments, and maximizing unitholder value by being mindful of the environment, contributing to society, and enhancing governance. We view environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) initiatives as essential for a business to be both sustainable and stable, and are committed to implementing such initiatives in cooperation with our stakeholders. Toward this goal, based on the Sustainability Policy established by the Asset Manager, we implement various initiatives as described below.
Investment strategy We invest directly or indirectly through trust beneficiary interests in real estate and real estate-related assets. Therefore, due diligence review (including the assessment of good governance practices) in relation to investee companies is not applicable. The investment policies as described below are related to real estate and real estate-related assets.
JRE’s investment management operations are conducted in conformity with the Sustainability Policy, which stipulates JRE’s priority issues and basic policies on sustainability with regard to its real estate investment management. To ensure implementation of the Sustainability Policy and execute a plan-do-check-act (“PCDA”) cycle related to the same, the Asset Manager established the Sustainability Committee in May 2016.
When acquiring real estate properties, we take into account various ESG criteria described below and conduct due diligence, including on-site inspections and investigations through real estate appraisal reports and engineering reports.
In addition, we have established a green bond framework to conduct green financing. The net proceeds from green bonds are used to refinance and/or finance refurbishments to or acquisition of assets that meet the eligibility criteria described below.
Proportion of investments JRE offers financial products which promote environmental or social characteristics, but does not have sustainable investments as its objective. As of March 31, 2023, 76.3% of the properties in our portfolio were Green Assets (as defined below) and 23.7% were uncertified assets, based on gross floor area of owned buildings. We plan to maintain the percentage of Green Assets at more than 70% of JRE’s properties.
Monitoring of environmental or social characteristics We measure progress made on the environmental or social characteristics promoted by JRE through (i) environmental initiatives regarding climate change, water saving, waste management, and renewable energy, (ii) environmental consideration of portfolio, (iii) tenant engagement, (iv) employee health and well-being at the Asset Manager, and (v) international initiatives and external evaluations.
Methodologies To implement the Sustainability Policy, the Sustainability Committee examines and reports on various initiatives taken based on the Sustainability Policy. The Committee executes the related PDCA cycle by examining and planning measures, reporting and evaluating progress and analyzing results, and then examining and planning improvement actions, thereby making improvements on a continual basis. After matters are examined by the Sustainability Committee, the Asset Manager makes decisions on those matters and implements appropriate measures, and the results are reported to JRE’s Board of Directors once a year.
The details of the methodologies used for each initiative and indicator are further described below.
Data sources and processing The property‑level environmental data is collected by property management companies and compiled and analyzed by a company specializing in EMS. Such data is reported to the Asset Manager on a monthly basis. To ensure data quality and accuracy, we obtain an assurance by a third-party organization in accordance with International Standard on Assurance Engagements 3000 and 3410.
Limitations to methodologies and data The primary limitation to the methodologies and data sources is the necessity of our reliance on the property management companies for raw data at the property level.
However, the Asset Manager implements a verification process with respect to the accuracy of such raw data and JRE’s environmental performance data has been given limited assurance by a third-party organization.
Therefore, limitations on the methodologies and data are not expected to affect the attainment of the environmental or social characteristics promoted by JRE in any material way.
Due diligence When acquiring real estate properties, we conduct on-site inspections and also investigate soil contamination and toxic substances, such as asbestos and PCBs, by obtaining real estate appraisal reports and engineering reports in addition to receiving related disclosure materials from the sellers.
Findings from due diligence review conducted prior to an acquisition of a property, including environment assessment and evaluation of earthquake resistance and probable maximum loss, are binding on our investment strategy, and we will not acquire a property that does not meet certain criteria based on such findings. We also take into account the acquisition of green building certifications and environmental performance including CO2 emissions, which promotes acquisition of properties with high environmental performance.
Engagement policies The Asset Manager’s investment decision-making process involves assessment of material ESG related-risks and opportunities to ensure that JRE’s sustainable investment strategy is implemented on a continuous basis. With each acquisition opportunity, we review ESG-related due diligence findings and take into account the acquisition of green building certifications and environmental performance including CO2 emissions. These findings and factors are deliberated at the Asset Manager’s Investment Management Council, where a final decision is made on the investment.
Designated reference benchmark JRE has no benchmark index designated as a reference benchmark to meet the environmental or social characteristics promoted by JRE.

No sustainable investment objective

The financial product offered by JRE promotes environmental or social characteristics, but does not have as its objective sustainable investment.

Environmental or social characteristics of the financial product

We are committed to pursuing social sustainability, making socially responsible investments, and maximizing unitholder value by being mindful of the environment, contributing to society, and enhancing governance. We view environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) initiatives as essential for a business to be both sustainable and stable, and are committed to implementing such initiatives in cooperation with our stakeholders. More specifically, we are committed to improving the environmental performance of our real estate portfolio while generating greater returns on our office investments, achieving sustainable development alongside all of our stakeholders, including unitholders, tenants, employees, suppliers and local communities, to contribute to sustainable society, and maximizing unitholder value. Our basic policy is to strictly observe legal requirements and relevant social norms, and under this basic policy, we have established a Sustainability Policy to implement the initiatives described below.

Investment strategy

We invest directly or indirectly through trust beneficiary interests in real estate and real estate-related assets. Therefore, due diligence review (including the assessment of good governance practices) in relation to investee companies is not applicable. The investment policies as described below are related to real estate and real estate-related assets.

JRE invests primarily in office buildings located in major cities all over Japan. JRE’s investment management operation is conducted in conformity with the Sustainability Policy established by the Asset Manager, which stipulates JRE’s priority issues and basic policies on sustainability with regard to its real estate investment management. In this manner, we have incorporated ESG factors into our asset investment and management decision-making processes and aim to achieve healthy asset growth and stable distributions over the medium to long term. To ensure implementation of the Sustainability Policy and execute a plan-do-check-act (“PCDA”) cycle related to the same, the Asset Manager established the Sustainability Committee in May 2016.

We take into account sustainability in our investment process as follows.

Proportion of investments

JRE offers financial products which promote environmental or social characteristics, but does not have sustainable investments as its objective. We define properties that have received any of the green building certifications and energy-saving certifications as “Green Assets”. As of March 31, 2023, 76.3% of the properties in our portfolio were Green Assets and 23.7% were uncertified assets, based on gross floor area of owned buildings. We plan to maintain the percentage of Green Assets at more than 70% of JRE’s properties.

Monitoring of environmental or social characteristics

We use the following indicators to measure progress made on the environmental or social characteristics promoted by JRE.

Methodologies

The Asset Manager established the Sustainability Committee to implement the Sustainability Policy while maximizing unitholder value. The Asset Manager’s Sustainability Committee is composed of the President & CEO as the Chief Sustainability Officer, Head of the Sustainability Management Department as the Sustainability Officer, General Managers of other departments and other members who are invited as appropriate. The Sustainability Committee examines and reports on various initiatives taken based on the Sustainability Policy. The Committee generally meets four times a year and executes the PDCA cycle by examining and planning measures, reporting and evaluating progress and analyzing results, and then examining and planning improvement actions, thereby making improvements on a continual basis. After matters are examined by the Sustainability Committee, the Asset Manager makes decisions on those matters and implements appropriate measures, and the results are reported to JRE’s Board of Directors once a year.

Data sources and processing

We use the following data sources.

Limitations to methodologies and data

The primary limitation to the methodologies and data sources is the necessity of our reliance on the property management companies for raw data at the property level.

However, the Asset Manager implements the verification process with respect to the accuracy of such raw data and JRE’s environmental performance data has been given limited assurance by a third-party organization.

Therefore, limitations on the methodologies and data are not expected to affect the attainment of the environmental or social characteristics promoted by JRE in any material way.

Due diligence

When acquiring real estate properties, we conduct on-site inspections and also investigate soil contamination and toxic substances, such as asbestos and PCBs, by obtaining real estate appraisal reports and engineering reports in addition to receiving related disclosure materials from the sellers.

Findings from due diligence review conducted prior to an acquisition of a property, including environment assessment and evaluation of earthquake resistance and probable maximum loss, are binding on our investment strategy, and we will not acquire a property that does not meet certain criteria based on such findings. We also take into account the acquisition of green building certifications and environmental performance including CO2 emissions, which promotes acquisition of properties with high environmental performance.

Engagement policies

The Asset Manager’s investment decision-making process involves assessment of material ESG related-risks and opportunities to ensure that JRE’s sustainable investment strategy is implemented on a continuous basis. With each acquisition opportunity, we review ESG-related due diligence findings and take into account the acquisition of green building certifications and environmental performance including CO2 emissions. These findings and factors are deliberated at the Asset Manager’s Investment Management Council, where a final decision is made on the investment. Moreover, taking into account the Sustainability Policy and the examination of the magnitude of the financial impact of risks and opportunities presented by climate change for scenarios involving temperature increases between 1.5°C and 4°C, we strategically replace properties in our portfolio and select properties that help us achieve competitive strength over the medium to long term, including through high environmental performance.

Designated reference benchmark

JRE has no benchmark index designated as a reference benchmark to meet the environmental or social characteristics promoted by JRE.

REMUNERATION AND SUSTAINABILITY RISKS (SFDR ARTICLE 5 DISCLOSURE)

The Asset Manager has a remuneration policy in place which aims to support its strategy, values and long-term interest, including its interest in sustainability. The Asset Manager’s remuneration policy is consistent with the integration of sustainability risks as follows.

INTEGRATION OF SUSTAINABILITY RISKS IN THE INVESTMENT DECISIONS, AND THE IMPACT OF SUCH RISKS ON THE RETURNS OF JRE (SFDR ARTICLE 6 DISCLOSURE)

JRE and the Asset Manager address sustainability risks by taking into account environmental, social and governance, or ESG, factors in our investment decision process and on a continuous basis.

The Asset Manager’s investment decision-making process involves assessment of material ESG-related risks and opportunities to ensure that our investment strategy is sustainable. With each acquisition opportunity, JRE and the Asset Manager review ESG-related due diligence findings and risk assessment. These findings and assessment are deliberated at the Asset Manager’s Investment Management Council, where a final decision is made on the investment.

As part of due diligence review prior to investment in a property, the Asset Manager conducts due diligence on the property, including environment assessment and evaluation of earthquake resistance and probable maximum loss. The Asset Manager also reviews each property’s green building certification and environmental performance including CO2 emissions at the time of acquisition. In addition to the review of environmental issues discovered through due diligence review, we evaluate risks associated with climate change and environmental issues.

Furthermore, the Asset Manager tracks sustainability measures including climate change initiatives, water-saving initiatives and waste management initiatives.

As a result of the growing interest in ESG factors among our investors and other stakeholders, we believe that insufficient engagement in ESG-related issues could materially adversely impact our reputation, business activities and our unit price. Having established the Sustainability Policy, we will take ESG factors into serious consideration when investing in new properties and managing our portfolio in accordance with such policy. We believe that our ongoing ESG initiatives will contribute to our sustainable growth and improve unitholders’ value while mitigating such ESG-related risks. In addition, we believe that such initiatives also contribute to reduction of the environmental impact of Japan’s overall economy while contributing to local communities and regional economies and at the same time generate sustainable growth in returns.

The following table presents the key climate-related risks that may have a financial impact on our real estate investment management business and the initiatives that we have taken to address those risks.

  • Asset Managerジャパンリアルエステイト JRea

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