Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) is developing an in-house private markets data engine to enhance its investment strategy. According to Yoshitaka Todoroki, MD of GPIF’s private markets unit, and Mari Tanaka, research and analytics director, the pension fund is gathering fund- and asset-level data. This initiative aims to measure excess returns and refine manager selection processes.

This move is significant as it signals GPIF's shift towards more direct infrastructure commitments, a complex area requiring precise data analysis. By building its own data platform, GPIF can gain deeper insights and greater control over its private market investments, potentially setting a new standard for large institutional investors seeking to optimize their alternative asset portfolios.