CBRE’s Japan division has selected new leadership, promoting one-time Mitsubishi executive Takashi Tsuji to president and chief operating officer.

Tsuji, who has been with the property consultancy since 2019, takes over the president role from Eiji Sakaguchi, who has been named chairman of CBRE KK while retaining his chief executive title, with the changes implemented from 1 October.

“Since CBRE Japan was founded in 1970, the business has steadily strengthened its position as a comprehensive commercial real estate services provider,” Tsuji said in a statement. He added that, “We strive to contribute to the Japanese economy via our real estate expertise. As one team of diverse professionals, we will continue to provide multi-dimensional solutions and challenge ourselves to new heights.”

With over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, Sakaguchi has led CBRE in Japan since joining the company from Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley securities in 2016. In his new role he is expected to continue overseeing the business and driving growth, according to the statement.

US Experience, PE Expertise

Tsuji receives his upgrade after having served as head of capital markets for CBRE in Japan as an executive managing director for more than four years, where he led a team of over 100 professionals in the country.

In the statement the company said, “Tsuji’s new responsibilities will leverage his extensive experience and track record in real estate and capital markets, strengthening the company’s managerial resources and business operations for the next growth stage.”

Before joining CBRE in 2019 the graduate of the faculty of engineering at the University of Tokyo, had worked at Mitsubishi Corporation since 1991.

From 1997 through 2002 he was part of the venture investment team for Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas) in New York, and worked in the conglomerate’s real estate securitisation business after returning to Japan where he focused on development and investment in logistics facilities.

In 2012 Tsuji was transferred to Mitsubishi’s real estate private equity platform Diamond Realty Management (DREAM), before being promoted to president and CEO of the division in November of the same year.