Parkway Life To Acquire Nursing Homes In Japan

Source : The Business Times, May 28, 2008

A MONTH after making its maiden foray in Japan, Parkway Life Reit has agreed to buy another two properties there for a total of 2.62 billion yen (S$34.3 million).

The target acquisitions are a nursing home in Yokohama City and another in Osaka's Ibaraki City. Both are owned by vendor ZECS Community Co, which has agreed to lease them back for 15 years with an option for a further five years. Its parent company Zecs Co will guarantee the leases.

At a price of 1.44 billion yen, the Yokohama facility has a net operating income yield of 6.1 per cent. The freehold, five-storey building is next to a scenic canal. It has 74 lettable units spread over a gross floor area of 3,273 sq m.

The Ibaraki nursing home is in a four-storey, 50-year leasehold property beside the University of Osaka and Ibaraki Country Club. It has a lettable area of 3,706 sq m and 94 units. At 1.18 billion yen, its net operating income yield is 6.7 per cent.

Explaining the acquisitions, Justine Wingrove, CEO of the Reit's manager Parkway Trust Management, said demand for quality nursing homes in Japan will grow with the ageing population. 'By 2050, it is estimated that one in three Japanese will be over 65,' she noted.

Rents at both properties are index-linked to Japan's inflation rate on an upward-only basis. Rents may also be revised by mutual agreement at five-year intervals.

Expected to be completed this month, the investments will be made through special purpose vehicle Parkway Life Japan2, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parkway Life Reit. They will be funded by debt, raising the Reit's gearing to 11 per cent from 8 per cent.

ZECS Community operates 30 nursing homes in Japan under the Bon Sejour brand. The leases are also protected by a back-up agreement with Japan Care Service Co, another operator of nursing homes.

Parkway Trust Management did not say how much the acquisitions will add to the Reit's distribution per unit (DPU). 'As the deal size is only $35 million, the increase to DPU is not significant,' said Ms Wingrove.

Last month, the Reit made its first investment in Japan - a pharmaceutical warehousing and distribution facility in Chiba that cost 2.59 billion yen.

Following yesterday's announcement, Parkway Life Reit ended one cent higher at $1.23.