Konnichiwa, I’m Nao, the founder of RESIDE JAPAN, and I launched the Akiya Agency service on instagram. I’m a licensed real estate agent in Japan, specializing in rental and sales brokerage. As Japan faces the dual challenges of a declining population and aging society, the number of vacant houses continues to rise year by year. Among them, properties with unclear ownership are becoming an increasingly serious issue, evolving into a significant social problem. While the Japanese government is working to propose solutions, I am working with the hope of contributing to the resolution of this issue as a real estate agent.
I was born and raised in Japan, and during my childhood, I had almost no interaction with people from abroad. However, during my university years, I had the opportunity to study abroad in the United States. I was struck by the cultural differences, diversity, the warmth and sometimes toughness of the people, and the breathtakingly different landscapes compared to Japan. The experience left a lasting impression on me, and I couldn’t shake the idea of “living abroad” from my mind. After graduation, I started working but eventually quit my job to fulfill that dream and moved to Europe. In hindsight, this decision became the turning point that led me to a career in real estate.
When I first moved to the UK, finding a home was incredibly challenging. I wasn’t yet fluent in English, and all property listings were in English. Later, when I relocated to Germany, everything was in German, and I couldn’t make sense of anything beyond the photos and prices. Even when I sought help from real estate agents, I was told that the number of properties available for foreigners was very limited, making it difficult to find a place. Despite my satisfaction with living in Europe, house hunting remained a constant source of frustration. In one particularly difficult case, I rented directly from a landlord without going through an agent. But when another tenant offered to pay a higher rent, I was abruptly asked to vacate the property the following month.
I started working in sales for the European region and had the privilege of experiencing the truly borderless lifestyle of people in Europe. It was one of the most enjoyable and valuable experiences of my life. Meanwhile, as I traveled to over 20 countries, I came to a renewed realization: there’s no place as safe and comfortable as Japan. For examples, in Japan, if you lose your wallet, it often happens that it eventually finds its way back to you. Children can play outside unsupervised, there are lots of vending machines on the street since no one destroys them to steal money, and 24-hour convenience stores are everywhere—things that are nearly unimaginable overseas.
When I returned to Japan, I noticed that more and more foreigners were discovering the country’s historical and unique charms, visiting, and even trying to settle here. While this made me happy, it also brought back memories of my struggles abroad. English usage in Japan is still limited, and many aspects of daily life can be challenging for foreigners. The issue I faced in Europe “foreigners struggling to find properties” is also prevalent in Japan, and I see it as a significant problem. I want those who have fallen in love with Japan and are considering moving here to enjoy the best possible life. The first step toward that is finding a safe and comfortable home. With that growing conviction, I decided to start my career as a real estate agent.
In Japan, legal reforms are currently underway to welcome more foreigners. As I envision a future where Japanese people and foreigners coexist more closely, I believe it is essential for us, as Japanese, to embody the spirit of Omotenashi hospitality when welcoming people from abroad.
Thank you for taking an interest in Japan. I am fully committed to supporting you in finding home and making your life in Japan as fulfilling as possible.