Asset Management One has launched a new ETF on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), providing low-cost exposure to locally listed real estate companies. The One ETF Tokyo Stock Exchange REIT Index (2556 JP) tracks the Tokyo Stock Exchange REIT Index, a free-float market capitalization-weighted index based on all real estate investment trusts (REITs) listed on the TSE. With a management fee of just 0.16%, the fund offers one of the cheapest means for investors to access Japan’s property market.

Exchange-traded funds in Japan more than tripled their assets in five years between 2014 and 2018 to ¥33.6 trillion (US$304.4 billion). Although institutional investors account for the bulk of assets, retail participation is set to grow with industry efforts to increase the availability of low-cost products, and foreign managers stand to benefit.

Japan-based investment firm Simplex Asset Management has launched a new ETF on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), providing exposure to locally listed real estate companies. The Simplex TSE REIT ETF (2555 JP) tracks the Tokyo Stock Exchange REIT Index which is a free-float adjusted market capitalization-weighted index based on all real estate investment trusts (REITs) listed on the TSE.

Japanese investment firm Nomura Asset Management has launched a new ETF on Tokyo Stock Exchange. The NEXT FUNDS Bloomberg Barclays US Intermediate Corporate Index (JPY Hedged) ETF (2554 JP) provides exposure to the investment-grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bond market while hedging currency exposure relative to the Japanese yen.

Japanese asset manager Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai AM has launched the MAXIS HuaAn China Equity (SSE 180 index) ETF (2530 JP) on Tokyo Stock Exchange. The fund provides exposure to large- and mid-cap China A share companies – renminbi-denominated stocks traded in Mainland China – by tracking the SSE 180 Index.

Japan Exchange Group, the owner of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and Shanghai Stock Exchange have announced they are collaborating on the “Japan-China ETF Connectivity”, a scheme for linking the ETF markets of both exchanges. Akira Kiyota, Japan Exchange Group CEO, said, “We will continue to collaborate with Shanghai Stock Exchange on this scheme and other ways to increase cross-border investment flows between China and Japan as we contribute to the continued development of the capital markets of both our countries.”

Nomura Asset Management has launched the Next Nomura Shareholder Yield 70 ETF (2529 JP) on Tokyo Stock Exchange. The fund offers passive exposure to Japanese equities that are providing a high level of return through dividends and share buybacks.

WisdomTree has made changes to two dynamic currency-hedged ETFs that provide exposure to the equity markets of Europe and Japan. Effective immediately, the WisdomTree Dynamic Currency Hedged Europe Equity Fund (DDEZ US) and WisdomTree Dynamic Currency Hedged Japan Equity Fund (DDJP US) will switch from passive to active funds and will adopt a multifactor security selection approach. “WisdomTree’s Modern Alpha approach to multifactor investing is designed to provide higher alpha potential with lower volatility and all the benefits of the ETF structure,” said Jeremy Schwartz, Global Head of Research at WisdomTree.

BlackRock has launched two new ETFs – the iShares MSCI Japan Equal Weighted ETF (EWJE US) and iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (EWJV US) – on Nasdaq Exchange, providing smart beta and value-focused exposure to Japan’s equity market.

Franklin Templeton Investments Canada has introduced a suite of plain-vanilla passive ETFs on Toronto Stock Exchange, providing single-country and regional exposures at low management fees. The ETFs are linked to indices from FTSE Russell that target equities in Canada, United States, Japan, and Europe (excluding the UK). “With market-moving events like trade tensions and Brexit, investors and their advisors, as well as institutional investors, are looking to precisely act upon specific country and regional market views,” said Duane Green, President and CEO, Franklin Templeton Investments Canada.