A landmark erected across the sea:
The New Path for Korean and Japanese Real Estate Drawn by Re/Max Maris CEO Kim Kyung-jun
The Korea Strait is not only a physical boundary separating Korea and Japan but also a passageway through which people and cultures have traveled for centuries. Embracing "Maris Nigri," the Latin name for this rough sea, there is a figure active in the heart of Fukuoka, Japan. The protagonist is CEO Kim Kyung-jun, who was already recognized for his competence at RE/MAX Korea, moved to Japan, worked at RE/MAX Japan, established his own company, and is now vigorously expanding his business. Rejecting the ordinary path and crossing borders to build his own domain, his journey is a drama crafted by meticulous execution and an entrepreneurial mindset.
Building on solid growth in Korea
His career has been exceptional from the very beginning. In 2019, his first year working as a real estate agent at RE/MAX Korea, he immediately clinched the "Agent of the Year" award, proving his competence in the industry. His prior experience managing overseas sales for a Japanese company and working in Guangzhou, China, before entering the real estate business, served as a foundation for his aspirations on the global stage. Furthermore, having completed an MBA in Korea and obtained a licensed real estate agent qualification, he was a hands-on professional with a deep understanding of the field and a business strategist.
Even though it was a position where he could have settled down, he chose a bold change. After moving to Fukuoka with his family in 2023, he began working at Re/Max Japan in August of the same year.
Overcoming language barriers through thorough preparation, he confidently passed Japan's notoriously difficult 'Residential Land and Building Transaction Specialist' exam in 2025, perfectly acquiring the legal and practical qualifications of an industry expert. The results were honest. Based on his performance in 2024, he not only won the Rookie of the Year award at RE/MAX Japan but also secured 3rd place in both sales and overall rankings, and in 2025, he once again secured a spot in the top 10 nationwide.
Transcending the barriers of language and convention to grasp the essence of Japanese real estate
For a Korean to conduct real estate business in Japan carries significance beyond mere language barriers. CEO Kim Kyung-jun recognized that real estate transaction practices in Korea and Japan are vastly different. This is because viewing the Japanese market through a Korean mindset makes it easy to miss critical opportunities.
He does not stop at merely introducing properties to clients. By explaining complex local regulations, tax differences, and hidden practices in the client's language, he proposes optimal portfolios tailored to their investment objectives, ranging from the sale of Ildong Mansion in Tokyo to the purchase of Tower Mansion in Osaka and the acquisition of income-generating assets in Fukuoka. His analytical prowess—which thoroughly examines actual regional demand, renovation plans, and vacancy history without being swayed by superficial phenomena such as exchange rate fluctuations or short-term tourist increases—serves as the strongest basis for trust among investors.
Japanese real estate market regains vitality
CEO Kim Kyung-jun states that when considering long-term investment, one must first examine the actual demand in a given region and how that demand connects to the property one intends to own, rather than relying on superficial indicators such as exchange rates. He emphasizes that for residential properties, one must meticulously assess actual occupancy demand and living environments; for commercial properties, the commercial district and tenant business conditions; and for income-generating assets like Ildong Mansion, the focus should be on rental status and maintenance plans.
In fact, according to the announcement of official land prices by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, residential and commercial land prices nationwide have recorded an upward trend for five consecutive years, showing a clear market boom for the first time in a while, and the number of foreign visitors to Japan has also reached an all-time high. However, he advises that one must not lose caution even in this situation. “You should not unconditionally predict profits for specific commercial properties or accommodations simply because the number of tourists has increased. The more already inflated the market is, the more carefully you must judge the purchase price.” This is because past growth rates do not fully guarantee future profits.
The reason to look into Japanese real estate now is not that you should rush to buy, but rather that it is the time to clearly define your investment objectives amidst the changing market trends and start preparing to carefully compare various properties.
Operational plan is more important than good products.
When a client finds a property they like, we examine it together beyond just the purchase price. We meticulously verify actual rental income, vacancy history, areas requiring repairs in the near future, and recurring incidental expenses incurred after the purchase. We also visualize in advance what kind of buyer might be interested when the property is eventually sold.
“Even if the projected rental yield appears high, the actual performance can be completely different if building repair costs are substantial or vacancy periods are prolonged.” Conversely, there are assets whose value is difficult to determine based solely on immediate, superficial returns. Ultimately, the final criteria for judgment are determined differently depending on whether the client prioritizes stable rental operations, direct use, or long-term ownership. Furthermore, as this involves overseas investment, cross-border differences regarding transaction costs and documentation, as well as post-ownership tax filing and fund management, cannot be ignored.
CEO Kim Kyung-jun places great importance on the role of systematically organizing matters to be reviewed in practice and naturally connecting clients with trusted experts for areas requiring separate professional judgment, such as taxation or law.
A reliable partner that transcends borders and languages
CEO Kim focuses on advising Korean clients on the investment and sale of Japanese real estate, providing comprehensive support that extends to post-acquisition leasing and building management. The biggest burden clients face when owning overseas real estate is the difficulty of personally verifying and handling on-site matters.
Since contacting tenants, building maintenance, expense settlement, and operational verification are all ongoing tasks that continue after ownership, we ask the question, "How will you actually operate this asset after acquiring it?" right from the initial stage of selecting a property. This stems from the belief that viewing the purchase and operation as a single, organic plan is the starting point for safely protecting overseas assets.
The 'global expert group' envisioned by RE/MAX Maris goes beyond merely mechanically introducing listings from various countries. It signifies an organization that deeply understands the differences in information and practices inevitably encountered when clients transact across borders, and solves practical problems by connecting the necessary expertise.
The principle CEO Kim Kyung-jun considers most important is making customers feel, even long after the fact, that it was "a truly good decision," rather than closing a single deal. He steadfastly adheres to his unique principle of conveying not only the advantages but also the risks and constraints without reservation, and clearly explaining the reasons if a product does not meet the intended purpose.
With the mindset of becoming a bridge connecting people and opportunities across the Genkai Sea, we have established ourselves as the most reliable partner in Tenjin that anyone can comfortably consult with at any time, ranging from those looking into Japanese real estate for the first time to those deeply considering the operation or sale of their assets.
REMAX Maris (Japan) CEO Kim Kyung-jun
I am Kim Kyung-jun, the CEO of REMAX Maris. As a member of REMAX Japan, I was recognized locally for my solid track record and expertise; building upon this foundation, I provide optimal comprehensive global real estate solutions to corporate and wealthy clients bridging Korea and Japan. Leveraging sophisticated on-site analysis and a global network, RE/MAX MIRIS provides customized services that maximize asset value, ranging from advisory services for the purchase and sale of Ildong Mansions and Tower Mansions in major Japanese locations such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, to leasing, building management, and post-acquisition operation.
kyongjoon.kim@remax-agt.net , KakaoTalk ID kei2020
+82-10-9861-5989 (Korea) +81-70-4579-1004 (Japan)
