Saturday
10:00 - 10:30
10:30 - 10:45
10:45 - 11:30
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.
11:30 - 12:15
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.
11:30 - 12:15
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?
12:15 - 13:15
13:15 - 14:00
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.
13:15 - 14:00
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.
14:00 - 14:45
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.
14:00 - 14:45
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".
14:45 - 15:30
15:30 - 16:15
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.
15:30 - 16:15
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.
16:15 - 17:00
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.
16:15 - 17:00
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.
17:00 - 17:45
Main room
Pick our speakers' brains - no question too silly, no curve ball too curved - ask us ANYTHING!!!
18:30 - 20:30
Nearby venue - separate tickets required
Sunday
10:00 - 10:30
10:30 - 10:45
10:45 - 11:30
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.
11:30 - 12:15
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.
11:30 - 12:15
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.
12:15 - 13:15
13:15 - 14:00
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.
13:15 - 14:00
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.
14:00 - 14:45
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.
14:00 - 14:45
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.
14:45 - 15:30
15:30 - 16:15
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.
15:30 - 16:15
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.
16:15 - 17:00
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!
17:00 - 17:30
18:30 ~
Nearby venue - to be announced!