SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - Bangkok Bank, one of Thailand's largest commercial banks, is encouraging customers to invest in Japanese properties ing light of a weaker Japanese yen. “There are great opportunities to invest in real estate in Japan’s tourism sector as the yen has depreciated by 30% and is at its weakest level in the past 50 years,” it states in a Feb 28 press release.

Thawee Phuangketkeow, Bangkok Bank’s senior vice president and general manager for Japan branches, points out that Japan’s weaker currency makes it an opportune time for high-net-worth customers and Thai businesses to invest in Japanese assets - whether to live in or for investment purposes - at a “special low price”.

He also argues that loans taken out to buy assets in Japan should be made in yen to reduce currency exchange risks.  Bangkok Bank states in can provide loans in the local currency, allowing customers to take advantage of negative interest rates and eliminate currency exchange risks.

According to Phuangketkeow, who is also Bangkok Bank’s Tokyo branch manager, the bank is the only Thai bank in Japan that is licensed to operate like local Japanese banks, including providing deposit and loan services in yen. Bangkok Bank has branches in Tokyo and Osaka.

“We are confident that we deeply understand the Japan market and businesses. We have a team of Thai and Japanese people who are ready to be a ‘trusted partner’ to take Thai businesses and investors to the Japan market smoothly and to grow together in the long term”, Phuangketkeow remarks.