IXIS Corporate & Investment Bank Tokyo Branch
Our aim is to develop our Japan office as a North Asian hub, and to achieve this we decided new premises would be essential. Within four years we expect to have several times as many staff in Asia as now, and our existing office in Hibiya Central Building would not be suitable.
Though discussions with Sanko Estate had already started about locating new accommodation, our plans for NATIXIS development in Japan gave this greater urgency. I arrived in Tokyo in mid-September 2006, and one of my priorities was to find new space as soon as possible.
Sanko Estate helped us at every step, from defining our requirements through to assisting in the negotiations for the rental contract. In a very short time, they had arranged for us to visit seven buildings suitable for our needs. From a shortlist of three, we chose Toranomon Towers, a brand new building only completed in August 2006 and conveniently located just a few minutes walk from Kamiyacho Station.
During the negotiations with the landlord, Sanko provided invaluable assistance as a mediator, ensuring that each side understood the other. This was crucial because there were aspects of the Japanese lease contract that were unfamiliar to us. Moreover, the change in our corporate structure in France created issues about tenancy that needed to be resolved. From our side, when we sought additional details from the landlord our queries were replied to quite quickly.
Fortunately, with Sanko's help and advice the problems were overcome, and we signed the lease agreement in early November. We hope to move by end-March. Even after the deal is signed, Sanko staff are always there ready to help. For example, as we had little experience locating interior design and fit-out companies in Japan, Sanko introduced several to us. We have nearly 35,580sq feet of space at Toranomon Towers on two floors, and the design firm we chose is furnishing the offices, including our one full-floor dealing room.
For other foreign companies requiring commercial space in Tokyo, I heartily recommend they seek advice from Sanko Estate. I also recommend that they identify their needs and priorities early, as this will help streamline the search. We also discovered that in Japan, the office location carries more weight than in France, so we spent considerable time choosing the best area within our budget to be near to clients as well as competitors.
Julien Dupire-Angel
COO Asia Pacific for Capital Markets