Japan has a developed commercial real estate market and many foreign companies have set foot here since decades back.
Most international real estate companies can be found here as well as local companies that specialize in catering to foreigners or the local market.
In short, there’s an abundance of property management companies available in Japan. As the demand is greatest in Tokyo and we see the highest concentration of property management companies here, I’ve decided to focus on companies in the capital.
In this article, we review the top property management companies in Japan and how they help foreigners and locals with everything from tenant screening, payments, and maintenance, for example.
1. Axios Management
Axios Management is a leading property management company in Tokyo that focuses on a foreign clientele. From the start, it began as the only English-speaking and foreign investor-centric property management firm in the country.
The company has plenty of testimonials and case studies on the website to make potential customers feel confident. At the moment, they have 19 buildings and 69 condos under management, totaling 612 units.
If you have properties in Tokyo, then Axios Management might be one of your best options. In contrast to many other companies in Japan, the staff is English-speaking to make the communication flawless with foreign clients.
Services
Axios Management offers a wide range of services to corporate clients, including:
Property Management:
- Market Survey and Planning
- Market Analysis
- Property Audit
- Property Enhancement
- Continuous Property Analysis
- Potential Added Income
Onsite Management:
- Onsite Management
- Maintenance
- Rent Collection
In addition to the above-mentioned services, they can help you with Offsite Management, Tax-Representation and Filling Services, Due Diligence, and Legal Support. For more information, I recommend you check their website.
Office Address
1201 Shinagawa Center Building, 3-23-17, Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo
2. RISE Corp. Tokyo
RISSE Corp. is a reputable property management company that primarily focuses on helping foreign clients.
At the moment, more than 85% of their clients are from overseas and they have staff that speaks both English and Chinese, due to market demand.
The company is comparably new but has still managed to build up a respectable brand name in the Japanese market. Worth mentioning is that they don’t only work with property management but also in the brokerage of prime properties in Tokyo.
Examples of areas where the firm manages properties include:
- Roppongi
- Shibuya
- Akasaka
- Ebisu
- Tamachi
- Others
Key problems to be resolved by the firm, according to the management, including communication issues with tenants, expensive management fees, and high vacancy rates.
The same as for Axios Management, you should definitely have a look at RISE Corp. if you look for a property management company in Tokyo.
Services
The company primarily focuses on property management services, but can also help you buy properties such as residential units, hotels, land, and more in the Tokyo area.
Office Address
106-0045, Japan, My Square Building 8F, 2-10-3, Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo
3. Savills Japan
Savills is one of the oldest real estate companies in the world with more than 39,000 employees in more than 600 offices.
The company focuses much on property management services and manages projects such as Masteri and Q2 by Frasers in Ho Chi Minh City, for example.
With more than 160 years of experience, they have won plenty of awards over the years that can be found on the website. Worth mentioning is also that the company primarily works with large-sized projects like condominium projects in Asia.
Services
While Savills focuses on property management in many Asian countries, they can help you with asset management, hotel advisory, industrial and logistics advisory, international residential sales, and more.
Savills manages 40 properties in Japan with a floor area of around 300,000 square meters, offering the following property management services:
- Environmental and Energy Management
- Facilities and Operation Audits
- Financial Management
- Pre-Management Consultancy
- Technical Services
- Tenant Retention / Leasing
Office Address
Yurakucho ITOCiA 15F, 2-7-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0006
4. STARTS
STARTS was founded as early as 1969 and has almost 8,500 employees, including the whole group. The company has a strong presence in the local property management industry and primarily focuses on helping large companies.
The original goal of the company was to help Japanese companies expand overseas and to provide value-added services.
From being active in the Japanese market only, they now operate in various Asian markets, including Cambodia, mainland China, Australia, the US, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
The company manages 150,000 parking lots, 680,000 residential buildings, and more than 2,000 office buildings and commercial facilities at the moment.
Services
Since its inception, STARTS has grown significantly and currently offers services in:
- Construction
- Real estate
- Property management / security
- Finance consulting
- Publishing media
- Hotels / leisure
- Elderly assistance and childcare
Office Address
Yaesu Chuo bldg. 4th floor 3-4-10, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027
5. CBRE Japan
CBRE is the biggest commercial real estate company in the world and is headquartered in the US. It’s been present in the Japanese market since the 1970s and currently has 1,300 employees in 10 offices.
Examples of awards won by the company in recent years include:
- Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (2021)
- Dow Jones Sustainability Indices North America (2014-2020)
- Ethisphere Institute World’s Most Ethical Companies (2014-2021)
- Fortune 500 company since 2008; Ranked #128 in 2020
- Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies (2013-2021)
Even if the company needs no further introduction, it’s worth mentioning that it focuses less on residential property management compared to Savills, for example.
If you’re an individual investor or property owner, CBRE might not be your option as they primarily manage large buildings and projects.
Services
The company has end-to-end property management services, including:
- Accounting
- Business Continuity
- Energy and sustainability
- Risk management
- Project management
- Security
- Tenant services
Office Address
Meiji Yasuda Seimei Building 18F, 2-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005
6. HouseRep Tokyo
HouseRep Tokyo is comparably smaller to companies like CBRE and Savills, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing for some property investors.
In addition to property management, the company can also help foreigners to invest in properties and help with:
- Property searches
- Purchase applications
- Explanation of Important Matters
- Contract drafting and signing
- Others
You can also find various guides and instructions on the website that are helpful if you’re new to the Japanese property market.
Services
The company offers various services in the Japanese real estate industry, including:
- Consultation
- Appraisal
- Marketing
- Negotiation and screening
- Tenant support
- Representation
Not to forget, working professionals and families can also get help with bank account openings, residence registration, furniture lease, neighborhood orientation, and more.
For more information, you can visit their website where they have a complete list of all the services.
Office Address
3F, 1 Chome-4-15 Hiroo, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0012
7. My Tokyo Home
In contrast to the above-mentioned companies, My Tokyo Home focuses on Airbnb and property management-related services for house owners. Thus, they don’t work with long-term leases, but rather short and medium-term.
As we see an increased amount of foreigners and Japanese that buy-to-let through portals like Airbnb, I decided to include the company in this article.
In short, with the help of My Tokyo Home, you can conveniently sit on the other side of the globe while they manage tenants, maintenance, and payments for your Airbnb unit.
It’s a recommended option if you’re an individual investor that looks to rent out your property to tenants.
Services
- Airbnb Management
- Airbnb listing and optimization
- Booking management
- Photographies of your unit
- 24-hour guest support
- Income reports
- Tenant support
- Others
Office Address
MTH Tokyo, 2-16-3, Meguro-ku, Japan
