April
April Group and
EastGate
April Group and EastGate have established April Gate Capital, a joint venture built on more than 25 years of trusted relationships and shared transaction experience. The partnership was created to provide Japanese investors with a dedicated, aligned and professionally managed channel into high-quality Australian opportunities.
With proven execution capability including the recent acquisition of Hunters Hill Private Hospital, the JV brings together deep local market knowledge, long-standing Japanese capital relationships, and disciplined governance to deliver stable, long-term investment outcomes.
Who is April Group?
- Boutique fund manager with 15-year track record
- 18 property professionals managing 18 assets and $1.5bn FUM
- Portfolio of 200+ tenants across 105,331 sqm
- Vertically integrated platform: asset, property, and facilities management delivered entirely in-house
- 90%+ tenant retention and average vacancy downtime of only 16.94 days
- 100% weekly tenant contact ensuring strong relationships and early issue resolution
- $0 rental arrears, reflecting disciplined management and stable income performance
Who is EastGate?
- One of the largest private, fully integrated investment and asset management firms in Japan
- Founded in 2011 with a team of 69 professionals
- In-house acquisition, transaction, finance and asset management professionals all with top-tier Institutional backgrounds
- C. 711b JPY under management with diversification across office, retail, industrial, hotel and residential markets
- Over 10% of assets under management offshore
- Currently invested in Australia via Sydney and Brisbane in value-add commercial, retail, and healthcare assets
Background Overview
AprilGate Capital founders and leadership all share a deep historical passion and cultural conviction around investing both in Australia and Japan. By establishing this single entity with the highest degree of experience and accountability in both countries, we believe we are uniquely positioned to invest Japanese capital with a greater point of difference than any other local manager.
Long-standing relationship between principals:
25+ years connection has built mutual trust, closely aligned values, and a strong shared understanding of investment dynamics between Japan and Australia.
25+ years connection has built mutual trust, closely aligned values, and a strong shared understanding of investment dynamics between Japan and Australia.
Proven track record across Australian transactions:
The principals have jointly assessed, structured, and executed Australian real estate opportunities. Shared experience covers due diligence, deal structuring, asset repositioning, capital raising, and stakeholder engagement.
The principals have jointly assessed, structured, and executed Australian real estate opportunities. Shared experience covers due diligence, deal structuring, asset repositioning, capital raising, and stakeholder engagement.
Successful execution of Hunters Hill Private Hospital:
The acquisition of the Hunters Hill Hospital is a key example demonstrating the ability to identify niche opportunities, unlock value, and complete transactions.
The acquisition of the Hunters Hill Hospital is a key example demonstrating the ability to identify niche opportunities, unlock value, and complete transactions.
Growing demand for high-quality Australian investment exposure from Japanese capital:
Japanese capital is increasingly attracted to Australian real estate due to its transparent and well-regulated market, attractive yield premiums over domestic opportunities, strong demographic growth, and resilient economy.
Japanese capital is increasingly attracted to Australian real estate due to its transparent and well-regulated market, attractive yield premiums over domestic opportunities, strong demographic growth, and resilient economy.
Complementary strengths:
April Group contributes deep local market expertise, asset origination, development capability, and on-the-ground management. EastGate brings extensive Japanese investor relationships, cross-cultural expertise, and a longstanding reputation for representing Japanese capital in international markets.
April Group contributes deep local market expertise, asset origination, development capability, and on-the-ground management. EastGate brings extensive Japanese investor relationships, cross-cultural expertise, and a longstanding reputation for representing Japanese capital in international markets.
Bridging a cultural & informational gap:
The JV bridges the barriers Japanese investors have historically faced in accessing high-quality Australian opportunities.
The JV bridges the barriers Japanese investors have historically faced in accessing high-quality Australian opportunities.
The Google Campus is in Playa Vista, LA – EastGate
50 Holt St – April Group
The Google Campus is in Playa Vista, LA – EastGate
32 Carrington St – April Group
Benefits to Japanese Investors
- Culturally aligned partnership with proven trust:
A 25+ years professional and social relationship between the principals provides a highly trusted, relationship-driven platform aligned with Japanese communication, decision-making, and governance expectations. - Seamless access to a new market:
The JV offers a low-friction entry into Australian real estate, giving investors immediate access to local expertise, market intelligence, and high-quality deal flow. - Japanese-style reporting & governance:
Reporting, compliance, and communication protocols are tailored specifically to Japanese institutional standards, reducing informational friction and increasing confidence in offshore investments. - Access to off-market & early-stage opportunities:
Through April Group’s network, investors gain exposure to off-market and relationship-driven deals across commercial, healthcare, and life sciences assets not typically accessible to foreign capital.
- Local execution & risk management:
Full on-the-ground capability including sourcing, due diligence, asset and property management, development oversight, and regulatory navigation, ensures disciplined execution and reduced investment risk. - High governance standards:
A compliance-driven approach aligns with Japanese institutional risk frameworks and supports long-term capital preservation. - Long-term investment orientation:
The JV emphasises stable income, prudent capital growth, and multi-decade investment programs consistent with the philosophy of Japanese pensions, insurers, and corporate investors. - Tailored communication & cultural understanding:
EastGate’s deep experience with Japanese investors ensures culturally aligned communication, documentation, and stakeholder engagement. - Diversification & currency advantages:
Australian real estate provides geographic and currency diversification, offering higher yields and exposure to a stable, transparent market.
Company profile
Company Name:
April Gate Capital Pty Ltd
Registered Address:
Level 6, 50 Holt Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
Established:
2025
Shareholders:
April | EastGate
Directors:
Atsushi Higuchi, Eisuke Kurokawa, David Briscoe, James Minahan
April Group – Key Leadership Personnel
David founded April Group in 2009 after an extensive career working for Knight Frank, CBRE (AU & UK), Cornerstone and Kingsmede. With over 28 years’ experience, David manages the overall business and investment strategy including asset location and class along with establishing and maintaining relationships with key investment partners. David holds a BSc (Hons) Urban Estate Management and MRICS.
James is a Director at April Group, where he leads the asset management function and is responsible for driving performance across the real assets portfolio. He develops and executes asset strategies focused on income growth, value creation, and risk management, while also playing a key role in assessing future acquisition opportunities in line with the Group’s investment objectives. With over 15 years of experience across asset management, investment management, consultancy, and property operations, James has worked across Australian and US real estate markets. Prior to April Group, he held senior roles at 151 Property (a Blackstone portfolio company) and Marprop, specialising in active asset management, acquisitions and disposals, financial modelling, and valuation. He began his career at EY and also brings international planning and feasibility experience from New York. James is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Nathan has over 15 years' experience in Australian acquisitions and investment management. with a track record spanning large-scale developments through to income-producing commercial assets. His career includes roles with Marprop and construction firm Built, providing strong exposure to both development and construction.
Nathan's experience includes managing DAs, financial modelling, conducting due diligence, and liaising with consultants. He is also well-versed in construction and development costs, enabling him to manage the full property lifecycle from acquisition through ta divestment while rnexirnising value at every Stage.
EastGate – Key Leadership Personnel
Shozo Sekine is CEO and founder of EastGate, EGW and iLs predecessor in 2006. Prior to this, Shozo worked at Morgan Stanley and their affiliated asset management company and participated in both Japanese and Australian asset sourcing for MSREF. Shozo has developed exceptional skills in leadership, strategy and group planning oversight.
Yuichi Ohata is Managing Director Of EastGate and joined in July 2012, having previously worked for Silverpeak Real Estate Japan as a Managing Director. where he was responsible for North Asia including Japan. Korea. and China. Yuichi has deep real estate fund management and asset management experience and an immense Hotel track record,
Reid Mackay is Managing Director of EastGate and is based in Singapore. Joining EGW in November 2015, Reid has known & worked with the other principals for over 20 years. Prior to joining EastGate, Reid established & led the CBRE Tokyo Institutional Investment Properties for over 10 years, completing more than USD 12 Billion in Japan transactions.
