The Schedule

Registration & Kick-off

Agenda Review & Orientation

Buying VS Renting - Which is Right for You?

Speaker: Emil Gorgees

Main room

Different personal, financial and family circumstances can greatly influence the choices available for you - as well as your peace of mind and lifestyle. Join Emil as he explores various scenarios and breaks down your choices, as well as the factors that should influence these choices.

How to secure an investment loan remotely?

Speaker: Alicia Qin Wang

Main room

Is it possible for a non-resident buyer to obtain an investment loan in Japan? Who can borrow, and for what property profiles? Can this all be achieved completely remotely? How to start the process, and what's involved? Find out all this and more in Alicia's presentation.

Navigating Home Loans in Japan – Your Personal Borrowing Strategy 

Speaker: Emil Gorgees

Breakout room

Explanation and analysis of successful case studies of various home loan applicants, how their needs were met, and their individual stories - where do YOU stand as far as borrowing capacity and strategy go?

Lunch & Free Networking

Short Term Stay Due Diligence - Everything You Need to Know BEFORE You Buy 

Speaker: Tracey Northcott

Main room

Tracey's framework, honed and perfected through years of experience, includes everything you need to analyse, invest in, and launch your short term stay or hotel business with confidence. If you're planning to launch a vacation rental (Airbnb style) business, boutique hotel (ryokan), share houses or monthly furnished rentals, this is the talk for you.

Financial Analysis & Due Diligence on Investment Properties

Speaker: Alicia Qin Wang

Breakout room

Find out how to choose the right investment property, crunch the numbers, assess risks and decide on which of the hundreds of offers on the market best suits your individual criteria and needs.

Don’t Make these Mistakes(!) Buying & Renovating a House in Japan 

Speaker: Anton Wormann

Main room

Learn from Anton's experience, successes - and mistakes - as he breaks down his process of researching, sourcing, affordably renovating and turning Japan's older & un-loved homes into spectacular and profitable hospitality properties.

Financial Projection tools for STS Yields

(Sponsored by PriceLabs) 

Speaker: Tracey Northcott

Breakout room

Plan ahead, using the right tools, and figure out how much you could - and SHOULD - be making from your potential short-term-stays business, well in advance of any purchase or commitment, in this interactive, hands-on workshop with the queen of "minpaku".

Free Networking

Home Renovations Under New Legislation

Speaker: Blanka Kobayashi

Main room

Insights on Japan’s newly amended Building Energy Efficiency Act, and its impact on the renovation industry. With new regulations set to take effect in 2025, including stricter energy efficiency standards for new buildings and financial incentives for eco-friendly renovations, this presentation will explore how these changes will shape the future of sustainable architecture in Japan. 

Sourcing Materials for DIY Renovations

Speaker: Anton Wormann

Breakout room

Love DIY renovations? Go "Boots on the ground" and learn about supplier relationships, unexpected sources and plain ol' hard work in this close and personal session with Anton. A thorough, hands-on workshop on the best ways to create high quality using affordable materials, for your short term stay project, or family/ holiday home renovation.

Hiring the Right Talent for Your Business

Speaker: Matthew Kyle

Main room

When people think of hiring talent in Japan, they often think of life-time employment, employee-centric labor law and a cultural reward system that can seem backwards at times. As we march forward in time, however, the challenges of hiring talent in Japan are becoming more and more manageable.  Matthew will break down the basics of hiring talent, including staff expectations, such as compensation and guidance on their role - common pitfalls and best practices.

Renovations, Broken Down

Speaker: Blanka Kobayashi

Breakout room

How to approach and plan a renovation project the right way, using the appropriate materials, and within budget - case studies, advice, tips & tricks from the experts.

Experts Q&A Panel 1

Main room

Pick our speakers' brains - no question too silly, no curve ball too curved - ask us ANYTHING!!!

Gala Dinner & "Nomihodai" (all-you-can-drink) Reception

Nearby venue - separate tickets required

Registration & Kick-off

Agenda Review & Orientation

"Bargains VS Burdens": Balancing Price & Ongoing Costs

Speaker: Ziv Nakajima-Magen

Main room

Japanese real estate properties run the gamut, from rural old Akiyas, land plots and ski resort units costing several to a few tens of thousands of dollars - and all the way up to millions or more for luxury homes, large buildings and prime locations. It's tempting to bag a bargain - but important to recognize the difference between good deals and money-pits. Ziv's presentation aims to break down the thought process involved.

"Wake Up!!" - What You're Missing, and how I Found it in Japan

Speaker: Brett Lee

Main room

If you don’t know what game you’re playing, how can you expect to win? In this talk, Brett Lee challenges everything you think you know about wealth, investing, and what it truly means to play the game, sharing how his own journey led him to Japan, to co-found "AkiyaHub" - designed with the goal of being "the front door" for anyone interested in investing or purchasing real estate in Japan, consolidating all resources, tools, and community on a single, all-encompassing platform.

Portfolio Structuring & Risk Appetite

Speaker: Ziv Nakajima-Magen

Breakout room

Building a well-balanced portfolio is more than a science - it's an art form, and can also be a lot of fun - if done right. It CAN, however, become a huge headache and a cause for sleepless nights if done wrong. Join this hands-on session to review, analyse and learn how to construct the perfect investment portfolio to suit your personal style, risk tolerance and goals.

Lunch & Free Networking

The Role of Digital Infrastructure in Revitalizing Vacant Properties 

Speaker: Matt Ketchum

Main room

High-speed internet and smart technology are transforming vacant properties into livable spaces for remote workers and businesses. This discussion explores how digital advancements can drive economic revitalization in underpopulated areas. 

"Diamonds in the Rough"

Speaker: Shu Matsuo Post

Breakout room

Join Shu as he shares tips, tricks and guidelines for starting your Akiya investment journey, identifying high cash-flowing potential rental properties, and turning these neglected, dilapidated and abandoned homes into cash-cows.

"Kansai Ben" - Kyoto's Real Estate Property Market

Speaker: Chai Kanda

Main room

With over a decade managing short-term rentals in the Kansai area under his belt, Chai is here to share insights related to Kyoto's market characteristics & trends, its seasonal nature, regulatory challenges and competitive landscape - and how you can operate profitably in this unique area.

Beyond Renovation: Innovative Models for Akiya Utilization 

Speaker: Matt Ketchum

Breakout room

New ownership and usage models, from co-living to short-term rentals, are redefining how vacant properties are repurposed. This discussion examines alternative strategies and policies that make akiya viable for modern living and investment. 

Free Networking

Incorporation as a Gateway to Residency

Speaker: Hiroshi Shimizu

Main room

Starting your own business, whether hospitality, investment, asset management related or other, can also be a gateway to residency - learn about the various ways available to those wishing to incorporate in Japan, and leverage their business for the purpose of applying for and maintaining a start-up, business manager or other visa classes.

"Getting it Done" in the Old Capital

Speaker: Chai Kanda

Breakout room

Live properties deal analysis and breakdown, historical case studies and reviews of the unique opportunities available in one of Japan's most complex - and exciting - property markets.

Experts Q&A Panel 2

Main room

The final panel session, featuring all of the summit's speakers - if you've been sitting on any questions and/or requests, NOW is the time to take them all up with our speakers, in this final session - bring it home!

Wrap-Up, Photo-Ops & Testimonials

After-Party Dinner & Drinks

Nearby venue - to be announced!