Like a cat drawn to a sunny windowsill, individual investors, are becoming increasingly interested in alternative assets. Blackstone’s inaugural private equity fund for individual investors has already raised $1.2 billion in just four months, according to the Japan Securities Dealers Association. Urged to invest their cash by Japan’s government, the growth opportunities for PE firms targeting Japanese investors could be significant in the next few years. Indeed, Blackstone also has a $252 million fund targeting unlisted U.S. REITs and a $580 million private credit fund. Democratizing private markets for private investors looks like it could bloom in Japan, like cherry blossoms in March. And have both PE firms and investors purring in satisfaction.