Meet Our Team
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This is Hideo Niimi; President of Newborn Honsya and Rising Sun Properties. Please allow me to share a part of my journey with you.
As a third-generation real estate professional in Nagoya, my work is more than just a business – it's a family legacy that began with my grandfather's resilience and vision. After World War II, he opened a humble restaurant amid Nagoya's ruins, believing deeply that “food and a place to call home are fundamental to people’s lives.” His commitment to these essentials became the foundation of our family’s livelihood. From those early days in 1949, through countless economic crises and the turbulent “lost 30 years” of Japan’s economy, our family business faced near collapse many times, yet we’ve held on and proudly marked our 75th anniversary.
When I took over the business in the late 1990s, we were drowning in debt. My path was filled with uncertainty, yet I was determined to keep the dream alive. I learned to remodel old apartments myself, revitalizing these spaces with my own hands, step by step. I had no training in architecture or construction, but driven by necessity and hope, I taught myself through trial and error, transforming rundown properties into valuable assets. Gradually, the debts cleared, and our company, once on the brink, stands strong today.
With a stable foundation, I shifted my focus to new real estate opportunities. In Tokyo, I invested in high-value properties just before the 2020 Olympics. I took risks, betting on Tokyo’s rising market, and against all odds, I managed to resell with a substantial gain, even during the unpredictable times of the pandemic.
As my experience deepened, I began receiving more inquiries from foreign friends and investors, often interested in high-rise condos near Tokyo’s main train stations. While I understand the allure, my journey taught me that careful planning and genuine local insight are essential. Japan's real estate market, especially in regional cities, offers something unique: dependable, stable investments with better long-term value. Today, I balance high-value investments with income-generating properties, guided by a steadfast commitment to sustainable growth.
The Japanese real estate market is unlike any other, and our transaction process is heavily regulated to protect consumers. For anyone new to Japan’s market, finding a trusted local agent is crucial. Real estate here isn’t just an asset; it’s a piece of life, a place of belonging. To those considering Japanese real estate, my heartfelt advice is to explore the area firsthand, feel its essence, and, if it resonates with you, make it part of your journey.
Ron
Hello, my name is Ron. I’m our real estate agent here at Rising Sun Properties.
I’m from the USA. Originally from a small town in Kansas, but have been on the move since I was 18 and lived in several cities in America including Kansas City, Baltimore, Boston, Scottsdale and Portland, OR. I moved to Nagoya in 2013 and have been here ever since.
I first moved here to pursue my dream to be an MMA fighter abroad as I was already training and fighting in Portland. Like many stories you hear, my plan to stay just a year and half did not go as planned. I’ve found a new home in Japan and never did make the move back. I’ve done many things here like doing commercials and modeling, teaching jiu-jitsu and still currently playing in our band, The Jerks. Life has always been an adventure and has continued here in Japan.
For my main job I’ve done a lot of English teaching of all kinds and managed a small school for 5 years. I really loved teaching. But having a sales and project management background, I wanted to get into a different industry. So I made the transition into real estate at the beginning of 2023.
Being a foreigner in Japan and not being fluent in the language, I understand the difficulties in finding an apartment. I’ve done it alone. And although it’s a great way to “build character” and force yourself to learn some Japanese, it was not a pleasant experience.
Having been through the process by myself and now having the experience of seeing it from the business side, I’ve learned a lot about the industry. This experience has really taught me how to help our customers, answer all their questions and help them find the right place for their specific needs and budgets.
We have helped many of our customers to find new homes in our apartments rentals as well as helping people purchase homes of their own. If you have any questions or need help in any way, please contact me. Even if it’s not directly related to real estate, I’m happy to help and offer my insight about living in Japan.
I also have a YouTube channel highlighting my friends, our properties, and other random parts of my life here in Japan. Please give me a follow. Thank you!