Japan's malls eye 'killer' tenants from Asia and beyond

China's Cotti Coffee, South Korea's Gentle Monster, Thailand's Karmakamet being courted

20250228 Deng Yi

Taiwanese herbal specialty store Deng Yi is a hot topic among Japanese retail strategists, but it has yet to enter Japan. (Deng Yi)

MARIMI KISHIMOTO, YOHEI KAWAI, and MAMI OSADA

TOKYO -- Leasing executives from Japan's top developers are on a global hunt for high-potential tenants, especially those from Asia daring to race to retail's cutting edge.

A recent "killer tenant survey" conducted by Nikkei, which directly interviewed 51 leasing professionals from major Japanese developers, highlights key consumer trends shaping tenant selection. Essentially, it reveals that consumers desire health-conscious, visually striking and sustainability-focused brands.

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