Mr. Gary Kwok is the CEO and Managing Partner of Axe Management Partners Limited (“Axe Management”), a Pan-Asia alternative investment company focusing on real estate across asset classes.

Gary was previously a senior investment banker at Credit Suisse and Bank of America Merrill Lynch specializing in corporate finance, debt and equity issuance, strategic advisory and M&A across industry sectors, completing transactions of over US$50bn. Most recently he was at Bank of America Merrill Lynch heading its Asia real estate hospitality and gaming businesses, during which he has led the effort to many landmark transactions with prominent corporates, achieving multiple industry awards.

In addition to his investment banking experience, Gary also previously held the position of Representative Director and CEO of a Tokyo-listed real estate and hospitality company. The Company businesses include planning and construction of greenfield projects, asset acquisitions, and operations of hospitality assets with over 1,000 employees. Under his leadership, the Company has successfully completed transformational initiatives to refine strategic vision and corporate values, and maximize operational efficiencies, bringing the Company towards global standard.

In his leisure, Gary regularly contributes to the society by managing charity organizations and is currently a Director of Japan-Hong Kong Society sponsored by the HKTDC aiming to strengthen business and cultural connections. He is an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), a global leadership organization.

Gary graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science with a MSc. and BSc. in Accounting and Finance.

Kaneko is the Managing Director and Head of Research & Consultancy at Savills Japan, where he oversees research publications in Japan and consulting services across a diverse range of asset classes. He has a wealth of experience and has guided domestic and international investors through Japan's dynamic markets.

Kaneko joined Savills Japan in August 2015, following his tenure as a real estate investment banker at Morgan Stanley. He began his real estate investment banking career at Salomon Smith Barney and spent three years at the World Bank Group as an investment officer, giving him a profound grasp of international macroeconomics.

Kaneko has been immersed in the Japanese real estate and capital markets for over two decades. Fluent in Japanese and English, he holds an MBA from London Business School and an undergraduate degree in Economics from Keio University.

After completing a master's degree at Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, I joined Nomura Research Institute, Ltd, where I was involved in the supporting urban development projects. Then worked at NLI Research Institute, where I was engaged in data analysis and forecasting of the real estate investment and rental markets. Since 2018, I have been in charge of research and analysis of the real estate markets, including the hotel market, at Daiwa Real Estate Appraisal Co., Ltd.

Major publications (Japanese): "Cost Management Documents & Simulation for Commercial Buildings" (co-authored, 2012, Sogo-Unicom Co., Ltd.), "Real Estate Business is Getting More Interesting: Finding the Seeds of Growth in a Mature Market" (co-authored, 2013, Nikkei Business Publications, Inc.), "Improving Your Real Estate Skills - Learn to Become a "Formidable Customer" with Q&A" (co-author, 2014, Nikkei Business Publications, Inc.), "The Future Is Visible! Regional Revitalization" (co-authored, 2016, President, Inc.).

Commencing his career in the real estate sector with a focus on corporate strategy and finance, he then joined Secured Capital Japan (now PAG Investment Management). There, he adeptly managed investments across diverse asset classes, including real estate, mezzanine bonds, and private equity, and played a pivotal role in structuring publicly listed REITs. In 2017, he brought his expertise to Kasumigaseki Capital, ascending to the position of Director in 2018. Presently, he leads the strategic planning, development, and financial structuring of operational assets on a global scale within the Hospitality and Culture Division.

Benjamin, as the Global Vice President Strategic Accounts, supports the strategic direction and growth of customer portfolios, placing a strong emphasis on nurturing growth opportunities within Global and Regional Strategic Partnerships. His approach focuses on seamlessly integrating client needs with FutureLog’s innovative solutions, aiming to achieve impactful results and build lasting relationships.

Having established FutureLog’s Sydney-based entity in 2021, FutureLog Oceania has already experienced rapid expansion under his stewardship. Oceania’s expansion is in keeping with the organisation’s global growth trajectory, doubling its global headcount within the last 18 months.

Passionate about the efficiencies that technology can bring to the hospitality industry, Benjamin’s background has afforded him the opportunity to view e-procurement from multiple perspectives. A seasoned hospitality executive, Benjamin has over 20 years of experience in Asia Pacific.

Prior to joining FutureLog, he held senior roles dual roles as Cluster General Manager for two Bangkok downtown hotels and Area General Manager for Accor Thailand, a portfolio of 12 hotels.

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ABOUT FUTURELOG: Founded in 1999, FutureLog designs and develops digital procure-to-pay solutions for the hospitality industry, handling all aspects of purchasing, inventory management and invoice processing. Headquartered in Switzerland, FutureLog has offices in Bangkok, Singapore, Böblingen, Paris, Sydney and Dubai, with 20+ years of experience in supporting procurement, finance, F&B, operational & corporate teams with secure, seamless connectivity between all procure-to-pay stakeholders.

FutureLog Website    www.FutureLog.com | LinkedIn Profile linkedin.com/in/benjaminkrieg

Midori Kataoka is the Regional Director of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Japan. She is responsible for the overall management of various aspects of development and sales, driving the continued growth and strategic expansion of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and its member properties.

Midori began her career in the hospitality industry as a Sales and Marketing Assistant at the Pacific Island Club in Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) and later worked for the same hotel in Guam. She expands here career at PMT Guam (Now T.P. Micronesia, Inc.) as land operator gaining further experience in the industry. Upon returning to Japan in 2005, Midori joined Grand Hyatt Tokyo as Convention Services Manager and later as Sales Manager. In 2012, she joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts Japan as Director of Global Sales, where she worked for three years in sales for member hotels, focusing on outbound sales. In 2016, she joined Andaz Tokyo as Director of Sales and later as Director of Sales and Marketing.

Midori holds a Bachelor of Arts in Policy Management from Keio University. She resides in Fujisawa, Japan.

Shiori Sakurai is the Business Development Manager for STR for Japan. Based in Tokyo, Shiori has approximately 20 years experience in real estate and with luxury global hotel chains. Her experience covers serviced apartment management strategies and operations, project management of new property developments and global hotel sales. Shiori holds a Certificate in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA).

With a passion for the hospitality industry she works to increase the engagement in hospitality data intelligence and clarify the decision making for hospitality, research and investment companies across Japan. Shiori frequently presents the latest trends and updates at industry events across the country. STR track supply and demand data for the hotel industry and provide valuable market share analysis for global hotel and investment companies and agencies across the globe.

Shingo Hattori founded Hattori Law where he has added legal insights to real estate investment projects from Japan to North America and joint venture projects of Japanese company with multi-national one. Prior to founding Hattori Law, he was a public officer at Economic Affairs Bureau of the City Government of Yokohama, a law firm lawyer in Tokyo, and an in-house counsel of Fujita Corporation.

At Fujita Corporation, he was in charge of almost all phases of the real estate investment projects in foreign countries such as Singapore, Mexico, Philippines, United States, and so forth, as an in-house counsel. He dealt with incorporation of subsidiaries, negotiation of joint venture contracts and hotel management contracts, and other legal works for the projects. He experienced negotiation with government affiliated financial institutions as well.

At Hattori Law, he supports foreign companies which are expanding their business in Japan. His clients include real estate investor, general contractor, high tech manufacturing company, multi-national family business, and traditional major Japanese company.

He was born and raised in Tokyo and received BA in Law at Hosei University, which provided him a full scholarship to study Journalism at Michigan State University for one year. He received J.D. at Niigata University, Diploma at the Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan, and LL.M with a specialization in Business Law at UCLA School of Law.

He is a consulting partner in charge of Real Estate & Hospitality. With more than 20 years of management consulting and financial advisory experience, he has established a proven track record of success in growing and managing businesses, building and developing teams, and exceeding customer and stakeholder expectations.

His experience includes strategic & business planning, operational improvement (BPR), digital marketing and branding & concept development as a management consultant, and commercial & operational due diligence, market & feasibility study, valuation, operator selection, hotel asset monitoring, M&A advisory and restructuring & turnaround as a financial adviser.

His engagements have spanned a wide range of real estate & hotel businesses, including integrated resorts, theme parks, golf courses, ski resorts, offices, commercial facilities, hotels and Japanese hot spring “Ryokans”.

Olivier currently oversees all aspects of the franchised and managed properties for BWH Hotels in the APAC region, including the brand development of their eighteen brands.

Olivier started his career in Asia back in 1993, as a management trainee with Nikko Hotels in Japan. He joined Accor in 1994 and was subsequently assigned to China, with the Novotel Brand. He stayed with Accor until 2008 and held various positions across Asia, ranging from pre-opening, running properties and re-brandings, mainly with the Novotel and Sofitel brands. In 2008, Wyndham presented him an opportunity of holding a cluster role in Dubai, which he held for two years, before moving back to Thailand to open the first “Ramada Encore” in the region. Olivier returned to Accor in 2014 before being appointed to his current regional role at BWH in March 2015. Early 2021 and following the acquisition of WorldHotels Collection, Olivier was internally transferred to Managing Director APAC. He was recently promoted to Vice-President APAC for BWH Hotels.

Daisuke Kitta is the Head of Blackstone Japan, Head of Real Estate Japan and is a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone based in Tokyo. Since joining Blackstone in 2008, Mr. Kitta has been involved in analyzing various real estate investment opportunities in Japan. Before joining Blackstone, Mr. Kitta worked at Deutsche Bank, where he was responsible for originating and executing real estate transactions in Japan. Mr. Kitta received a degree in Economics from Nihon University and also graduated with a B.S. from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.

Hiro Abe has 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. His extensive international business exposure began in 1993 as Marketing Development Manager at Park Hyatt Tokyo. In 2002, as corporate Director of Strategic Marketing in Chicago, Hiro continued to broaden his industry experience, later heading up Hyatt’s Japan and Micronesia hotel operations and development from 2006 to 2017, based out of Tokyo. 

As Vice President – Revenue, Asia Pacific, in Hong Kong, Hiro supported over 150 Hyatt hotels in the region. After that role, Hiro set up H.A. Advisors in 2020 with the aim of assisting hospitality businesses and organizations, bolstering their growth and aspirations in these volatile times. Hiro holds a Master of Management for Hospitality from Cornell University and an Economics degree from the University of Tokyo. He is currently Specially Appointed Professor of Rikkyo University and Associate Professor of The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Joel H. Rothstein is an international real estate and structured finance lawyer and Chair of the Asia Real Estate Practice of the global law firm of Greenberg Traurig LLP. He advises investment banks, financial institutions, private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, real estate developers, and investors across all major Asia markets and all key asset classes. He also leads the firm’s practice in advising Asia-based outbound cross-border investors in structuring, implementing, and managing equity and debt investments into the United States, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

With more than twenty-five years’ experience in Asia, Joel has structured, documented, and implemented a number landmark transactions and investment programs in the region, including the first rating agency rated commercial mortgaged-backed securities transaction in Japan, the first non-performing loan securitization transactions completed in Japan and in South Korea, the first comingled USD/RMB real estate fund sponsored by a Chinese financial institution and the first international style non-recourse real estate loans by financial institutions in both Japan and China. In the Asia outbound investment market into United States’ real estate, he has advised in transactions valued in excess ten billion US Dollars, ranging from acquisitions and dispositions, to financing, to strategic joint ventures, to fund investments, across all major asset classes and markets in the United States.

In the hospitality space, Joel leads his firm’s efforts across Asia in advising clients in the hotel and resort acquisitions, sales, joint ventures and financing. In addition, he is actively involved in structuring, negotiating drafting and implementing hotel management agreements, hotel and resort licensing agreements, franchise agreements, and all other operational hotel agreements.

A New York native, in addition to practicing law, Joel is also an architect and urban designer whose work prior to becoming an attorney included numerous architecture and urban design projects around the world, from Cartagena, Colombia, South America to New York City. He is a US-trained lawyer also qualified as a foreign lawyer in Japan and Hong Kong. He is based in Tokyo but splits his time among Greenberg Traurig’s offices in Asia.

Joel frequently writes and lectures on real estate law and finance as we all as on urban design and development. Joel has been a guest lecturer at Harvard University, Georgetown University and Peking University, and formerly an adjunct professor in the real estate program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.

With his global knowledge and international experience, Masashi excels as a leader in client relationships, strategic thinking, design excellence advocacy, mentorship, and collaboration. As Lifestyle Studio Director, Masashi brings extensive expertise in working with a wide range of clients and diverse project types, ranging from developers, investors and the hospitality sector. He adeptly translates client needs and objectives into achievable visions while staying at the forefront of industry trends. With over 20 years of experience, he consistently delivers value to clients through creative design thinking and strategic problem-solving. His unwavering commitment to client satisfaction and design excellence sets him apart as a leader in the industry.

Seth R. Sulkin is President and CEO of Pacifica Capital K.K., a Tokyo-based developer of hotels and commercial properties with more than 30 years of real estate investment experience in Japan. He is also CEO of Pacifica Hotels G.K., a franchisee operator of Marriott and IHG hotels. In October 2017, he developed and opened Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho, the first lifestyle hotel in Japan. He is also the developer of Fairfield by Marriott Osaka Namba, Holiday Inn & Suites Shin Osaka, Moxy Kyoto Nijo and Courtyard by Marriott Hiroshima, expected to open in 2027.

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Sulkin is a member of the Executive Committee of ULI Japan. Fluent in Japanese, he received a master’s degree from Stanford University’s Center for East Asian Studies and attended the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies in Yokohama.

''I'm General Manager at the Marissa Resort, a resort under Toda Construction Co., Ltd. I have over 30 years of experience in the hotel industry, with an emphasis on sales and marketing, revenue, and front office operations in Japan, the USA, and other countries. Nearly 10 years of management experience at Hyatt as an EXCOM, with extensive sales and marketing exposure in Japan, the US, Australia, China, Taipei, Russia, Korea, and other accounts.''

“Yutaka Maruyama has over 40-year experience in the hospitality industry and has led development, opening, operation, re-development, re-branding, and turn-around projects for Six Senses, Banyan Tree, Westin, Sheraton, Aloft and other major & independent brands.

He served for development of Westin, Caesar Park, and IHG in Japan and Asia Pacific, and undertook corporate planning for a hotel management company under Green House Group as Managing Director.

He participated in the establishment of HTL Capital Advisors: a financial advisory firm specializing in the hospitality business, and Aisa Lodging: a hotel investment, management, and operation platform for the extended stay hotel category for AP, and Charters Lodging Group Japan: hotel asset management arm under Aetos as the head of hotel asset manager.

He managed the acquisition of hotel assets under Asia Pacific Land (Japan) Ltd. Currently, he serves as Senior Adviser for Richesse Management, Inc. and a board member for World Brands Collection Hotels & Resorts, Inc. under Wealth Management Group for investment, acquisition, development, asset management, management, and operation for hotel portfolio.

He is a founding and a board member of Hospitality Asset Managers Association Japan.”

to be updated

Takashi Imanaga is General Manager of Real Estate Finance at Mizuho Bank, Ltd.

He has around 30 years of experience in finance industry. He was in real estate finance from 1999 for 8 years at the dawn of the real estate securitization market in Japan. He has been involved in a number of epoch-making finance, including large-scale development finance, REIT finance and large-scale real estate syndications.

He worked for Mizuho Americas in New York and Mizuho Singapore from 2008 for 9 years. He was in charge of product sales including securitization and lease finance at Mizuho Americas and was responsible for promoting non-Japanese businesses in the Asia-Pacific region of the Mizuho Group at Mizuho Singapore.

Prior to his current position, he was responsible for global investor coverage in Tokyo and HR planning for investment banking at Mizuho Financial Group, a holding company. He has a broad career in Japan and overseas.

Senior Registered Architect/ Interior Planner.

After graduating from the Department of Architecture, WASEDA University, I joined KAJIMA CORPORATION, and after a career in overseas hotel project, I joined KANKO KIKAKU SEKKEISHA, overseeing the design of hotel projects in Japan and overseas. Appointed to current position in 2009.

I have been involved in hospitality design for over 50 years.

Since 2015, he has served as chairman of the Japan Tourism Facilities Association

Started a career in a real estate company, engaging in finance and corporate planning. Afterward, worked as an arranger of real estate securitization schemes at a securities company. Since 2005, has been engaged in non-recourse loan business at the Real Estate Finance Sales Department of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

Over a 19-year career as a lender, executed loans totaling over 6 trillion yen and made significant contributions to securing the top market share. Served as General Manager of the Real Estate Finance Department for two years from 2022, and left the company in 2024.

In June 2024, assumed the position of Director, CFO, and CSO at Profits Co.,Ltd..