Five Years of Progress Since Starting Business

The decision to establish INA&Associates Co., Ltd. was deeply rooted in my extensive experience in the real estate industry. After graduating from university, I joined a real estate developer and began my career by launching a new business venture focused on condominium development. I found great fulfillment in the responsibility of working on projects that directly impacted people's homes and assets. Each and every project was approached with sincerity, and seeing our clients' satisfaction was the greatest motivation for me.

However, as I worked on the front lines, I gradually became increasingly aware of a harsh reality: despite their best efforts, many people were not receiving the recognition or rewards they deserved.

One memory that stands out is the words of a craftsman I met at a construction site. Despite having spent years in the industry and possessing exceptional skills, he quietly remarked, “No matter how hard we work, it's always the general contractor who gets the credit, while those of us on the front lines never get recognized.” His words seemed to carry a mix of frustration and resignation. I stood there speechless, feeling a deep sense of regret. I remember feeling a sense of anger welling up inside me as I witnessed the reality that the people who support the construction sites are not rewarded for their efforts.

In fact, in the real estate and construction industries, a multi-tiered system of contractors and subcontractors is the norm, making it difficult to recognize the contributions of those working on-site and ensuring that they are fairly evaluated.

Furthermore, I encountered many individuals with outstanding technical skills and extensive experience who were unable to receive appropriate compensation or recognition due to opaque business practices. Every time I witnessed such circumstances, I felt a strong sense of doubt and indignation. “I want to create a society where those who work hard are properly rewarded”—before I knew it, this desire had become a firm belief in my heart.

However, the path to realizing this vision was far from smooth. I felt there were limits to what I could achieve within the organization I belonged to, and gradually came to realize the necessity of taking the initiative to create a new system myself. That said, leaving behind a stable career to start a business was accompanied by significant anxiety. I faced opposition from family and those around me, as well as internal conflicts about whether I was truly capable of running a business, leading to many late nights spent alone in deep thought.

One day, words from a respected superior gave me the push I needed. “If you have a vision, create the stage to realize it. You can't change anything if you're afraid of taking risks.” Those words struck me deeply, and I made up my mind. To turn my ideals into reality, it was worth taking risks and taking that first step. Thus, the resolve to start my own business, which had been smoldering within me, became unwavering.

With my resolve set, I began searching for like-minded individuals who shared my vision. A few people responded to my call to create a system where effort is fairly recognized and rewarded. They too were facing similar challenges in their respective fields and were passionate and reliable allies. Sharing a big dream for the future and a determination to face reality head-on, we finally took the first steps toward founding INA&Associates Co., Ltd.

A series of challenges: The hardships of the early days

Even after founding INA&Associates Co., Ltd. with like-minded colleagues, the road ahead was a series of challenges. At the time of its establishment, the company had no name recognition or track record—it was a complete start from scratch. In a modest office with nothing but desks and chairs, I spent my days running around trying to secure clients and my nights revising business plans and doing administrative work. Everything was trial and error, but I was determined not to let anyone outdo me in my passion to realize our ideals.

The first hurdle was gaining trust. For newcomers like us, earning the trust of customers and business partners was no easy feat. Cold calls often went unanswered, and being turned away at the door was not uncommon.
But we kept pushing forward, and one day, a former supervisor from the company I had worked at reached out to us. “I heard you started your own business, and I have a project I'd like to entrust to you,” he said, and that was the first job INA ever received.

The joy of that moment was indescribable. Above all, I was deeply moved by the fact that someone had trusted us enough to entrust us with their work. We threw ourselves into the project with all our might, working as a team to meet their expectations. In the end, we successfully delivered the project, and when the client told us, “We're glad we asked you to do this,” I couldn't hold back my emotions. It felt like all the hardships of the early days had finally paid off.

However, the challenges did not end there. Shortly after our founding, the global crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic struck, standing in our way. The real estate industry was hit hard, and with in-person sales and property tours becoming difficult, our business was thrown into a dark abyss with an uncertain future. For a newly founded company with limited resources, this adversity was a crisis that threatened our very existence.

Nevertheless, we did not simply cower in the face of this unprecedented difficulty. Instead, we struggled desperately to turn adversity into opportunity. Specifically, we shifted our mindset and abandoned traditional methods. If we couldn't meet in person, we would meet online—with this in mind, we were among the first in the industry to adopt online business meetings and property viewings.

We actively introduced new technologies and methods, such as VR tours of properties and remote contract procedures, and worked to create an environment where customers could conduct transactions safely and with peace of mind. At first, we were unfamiliar with these methods and encountered some challenges, but as we worked together to share ideas and make improvements, we gradually gained confidence in providing online services. Interestingly, this initiative gained popularity, and we began to receive inquiries from customers who would not have been able to meet us in person, such as those living far away or overseas. It was a moment when the step we took in the midst of adversity opened up a new path.

During the startup phase, we faced countless other challenges. There were days when we struggled with cash flow, nights when negotiations with partners went poorly, and times when we had to rush to respond to unexpected troubles.
Each time, we hit a wall, struggled, and learned. Fortunately, we were saved each time by the support of many people who stood by us.
Our mentors who guided us in business, industry seniors who offered their advice without charge—without their support, we would not have been able to overcome the challenges of the early days.

The presence of our founding members, who shared both the hardships and the joys, was also indispensable. Even during times when sales were low and salaries were meager, they never complained once, instead encouraging one another with the belief that “we will definitely achieve our ideal someday” and continuing their efforts. We celebrated small successes together and supported one another when we failed and felt down—a strong bond like that of a family was formed there. It was solely thanks to the existence and support of such colleagues that we were able to overcome the hardships of the startup phase.
As a manager, I was encouraged by them many times and, in turn, gained strength from them. Through these challenging days, our team has gained the strength to overcome any difficulties and the confidence that we can overcome any obstacles.

I must also express my gratitude to my family, who supported me behind the scenes as I worked day and night. It was because of my family's support, watching over me during the unstable days of the start-up period and believing in me, that I was able to move forward with all my strength. My family's understanding and encouragement were a great source of emotional support and motivation for me.

INA&Associates' Philosophy and Growth

After overcoming many difficulties, INA&Associates Co., Ltd. gradually began to get on track. I still vividly remember the day, about a year after our founding, when we were able to welcome our first new employee who was not a founding member. On his first day, as I passionately shared our philosophy and the journey we had taken so far, and shook his hand with the words, “Let's build this company together,” I felt a sense of unity expanding and our shared vision being passed on to the next generation. That moment reminded me that the company is not just a business entity, but a community of like-minded individuals who share a common purpose.

The philosophy and vision we established at the time of our founding continue to serve as a compass for our business to this day. “Creating a society where hard work is fairly recognized and rewarded”—this is our unwavering corporate philosophy and reason for existence. The mission we established at the time of our founding, “to create a system where effort is fairly recognized and rewarded,” remains an unshakable pillar within the company, no matter how the environment changes.

To bring this philosophy to life, we have established a clear vision: “To build a platform where hardworking people are rewarded.” We aim to create a stage where everyone, regardless of their background or upbringing, can fully realize their potential. With this vision in mind, all our employees are working tirelessly toward its realization. We sincerely hope that the services and systems we provide will open the door to happiness and success for our customers, business partners, and society as a whole, and we are committed to making this a reality.

Based on this philosophy and vision, we are fully committed to providing value through our daily work. Specifically, we have broken down the opaque practices that remain deeply rooted in the real estate industry and ensured transparent and fair transactions, thereby providing our customers with peace of mind and trust. In real estate sales and leasing, we have clarified the complex fee structure and adopted a policy of full information disclosure. As a result, our customers have come to regard us as a sincere and reliable partner. This evaluation is our greatest asset, and we will continue to protect it in the future.

Additionally, we actively leverage technology to create new value. For example, we have refined the online property viewing system mentioned earlier as a regular service, enabling customers in remote locations to comfortably explore properties. Furthermore, we are focusing on creating a platform that allows talented individuals to thrive beyond geographical constraints. Our project to connect untapped human resources in rural areas with the needs of urban areas has been recognized as an initiative that brings benefits to both our customers and society by creating jobs in rural areas and improving operational efficiency. These efforts are only the beginning, but we feel that they are a step toward our goal of creating a society where everyone can shine and be rewarded.

Our business areas are also steadily expanding. We started out as a real estate brokerage firm, but we have expanded our services to meet the diverse needs of our customers. Today, we not only provide brokerage services for sales and rentals, but also real estate management services such as the operation and management of income-generating properties, technology services that bring innovation to the industry through the use of IT, and human resources introduction and consulting services that connect people and companies. For example, we provide asset value maximization consulting for real estate owners and introduce optimal human resources, including those from rural areas, to companies struggling with labor shortages. By offering comprehensive solutions that only INA can provide, we have established a one-stop system to address our customers' challenges and are building trust that “INA can be relied upon.”

As a company, we have grown from a handful of employees at the time of our founding to a large team today. In addition to our headquarters in Osaka, we have established offices in Tokyo and Kanagawa, strengthening our on-site service capabilities. All of our employees working at our various locations share the same philosophy that has guided us since our founding and work together as a team to serve our customers. I firmly believe that the growth of our company is impossible without the growth of each and every employee, and in fact, the growth of our employees is the driving force behind our company's growth. As a manager, seeing new employees gain experience and grow into reliable leaders who create new value is the greatest joy I can experience. I always strive to provide an environment where they can maximize their abilities and encourage them to take on new challenges. Supporting our employees in developing their strengths and growing both professionally and personally is, in itself, a contribution to society and ultimately leads to increased corporate value.

Over the past few years, we have met and been supported by many customers and partners. By doing our utmost to live up to the trust placed in us, we feel that we have gradually grown into a company that is recognized both within and outside the industry. However, we are never satisfied with the status quo and continue to take on new challenges to create value, always returning to our roots. With our founding principles engraved in our hearts, we will continue to evolve and take on new challenges—this is the path that INA&Associates has taken and will continue to take in the future.

Vision for the Future and Determination

I feel that the real estate industry is currently undergoing a major transition. With the advancement of technology and changes in social structures, there are more and more situations where conventional wisdom no longer applies. However, I view these changes positively. I believe that the real estate industry of the future should be more transparent, fair, and accessible to people. To achieve this, each and every one of us in the industry must challenge the status quo and be prepared to lead the way toward change. With the beliefs and achievements we have cultivated since our founding, INA&Associates will continue to play a role in pioneering a new future for the industry.

First, the further utilization of technology is essential. Innovative technologies such as AI, IoT, and blockchain have the potential to transform the very nature of real estate transactions. For example, solutions that were previously unimaginable, such as the streamlining of contracts through blockchain technology and accurate proposals based on AI-driven demand forecasting, are now becoming a reality. We intend to actively incorporate such cutting-edge technologies to provide our customers with even faster and more value-added services. However, technology is only a means to an end, and people will always be at the center. No matter how much digitization progresses, the trust and warmth between people will never fade. That is why we want to continue to be a company that provides the best proposals for each and every customer by combining human-centered consulting with the latest technology.

We are also focusing on the ripple effect on the industry as a whole. By taking the lead in pursuing a transparent business model and achieving results, we hope to have a positive impact on our competitors and contribute to the healthy development of the industry as a whole. For example, if appropriate profit distribution and fair evaluation systems become the industry standard, it will encourage talented young people with ambition to join the industry. Bringing a new wind to the real estate industry and transforming it into an industry where people can work with dreams and pride—that is also one of my major goals. When I talk about the future of the industry, I always keep in mind our responsibility to the next generation. I believe that our current challenges will lay the foundation for the standards of the future, and I am committed to my daily work with that belief in mind.

As for our growth strategy, we do not intend to remain on the current path, but rather to actively pursue new challenges. Specifically, in addition to deepening and expanding our existing businesses, we will leverage the know-how we have cultivated to develop new businesses and service models. For example, we aim to further advance the integration of real estate and technology, build an online real estate platform, and enhance our consulting services based on data analysis. We will also continue to improve our services from the customer's perspective to eliminate complex transactions and management processes and provide simpler and more user-friendly systems. We will never stop evolving in order to remain a company that our customers can trust and rely on.

Furthermore, my vision for the future is to grow INA & Associates into a company that can compete on the global stage. Fortunately, INA has multilingual staff and members who are well versed in overseas real estate, and we have already established a growing number of transactions with overseas investors and clients. Building on this foundation, we aim to expand into overseas markets and establish a global network of talent. Our ambitious goal of becoming the world's leading human capital investment company is not easily achieved, but we believe that it is precisely because we have set such a high standard that we can achieve growth. We will spread the philosophy of INA&Associates across borders and industries. For example, we envision a future where talented individuals in rural Japan can participate in overseas projects through INA's network, and overseas investors can invest in Japanese real estate with confidence despite language barriers. With this ambitious dream in mind, we are determined to take steady steps forward.

For me, employees, customers, and society are the three pillars of our company, each irreplaceable. We can provide services because we have employees, our business exists because we have customers, and our existence has meaning because society exists. We will continue to nurture these relationships in the future. For our employees, we want to be a company where each person can have dreams and goals and achieve them on the stage of INA. We will continue to provide a fulfilling work environment, maintain an evaluation system that fairly assesses performance, and offer opportunities for long-term growth. We want to be more than just a business partner to our customers; we want to be a lifelong partner who contributes to their success in life and business. We will strive to realize the smiles of our customers behind each and every transaction. Toward society, we will fulfill our responsibilities as a company and continue to contribute to the healthy development of our industry and local communities.

Looking ahead to the future, there are many challenges, but I believe there are even more possibilities.
I am now facing this unknown future with stronger determination than ever before. With a sense of responsibility and pride as the founder, I am determined to move forward with my like-minded colleagues, no matter what difficulties we may face. With the passion I had when I founded the company burning in my heart once again, I will open the door to new challenges and take the next step forward.

Passing on our passion

Looking back, what has driven me from the day I founded the company to today has always been my passion. My passion to change the industry and create a society where people are rewarded fairly has never faded, but continues to burn in my heart. And now, I feel that this flame is no longer mine alone, but burns in the hearts of all my colleagues at INA&Associates. I believe that my new mission is to keep the flame of belief that we lit at the time of our founding burning brightly and passing it on to the next generation.

Our aspirations have transcended individual ambitions and become the aspirations of everyone. It is an irreplaceable joy to see my colleagues embrace this aspiration as their own mission and work hard every day. As a manager, I am also a member of the team, sharing the same dreams and running toward the same goals as everyone else. That is why I am confident that no matter what challenges or trials lie ahead, we will overcome them together as one. The experience, bonds, and culture we have built since our founding are gradually becoming the traditions of the INA&Associates family. I hope to preserve and nurture these traditions, pass them on to new members, and elevate them into an even greater force.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of my colleagues who have walked this path with me. It is because of the support and efforts of each and every one of you that INA&Associates exists today. The encouragement we have given each other in difficult times and the joy we have shared in good times are the source of our strength. I have been inspired time and time again by the passion and professionalism you demonstrate every day. Let us continue to pursue our dreams and create the future together. The ideal we envision cannot be achieved by one person alone. The journey since our founding has taught us that it is only by giving our best in our respective roles and supporting one another that we can achieve great goals.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to our customers and partner companies who share our philosophy and walk alongside us. The trust and expectations you have placed in us are what drive us forward. We will continue to do our utmost to live up to that trust.

Finally, the founding vision of INA&Associates—to create a society where those who work hard are fairly rewarded—will remain our guiding principle. With this vision in mind, all of our employees are committed to moving forward with determination toward the future. Though we continue to challenge the unknown tomorrow, our steps will be supported by the passion that has burned since the day we were founded.

I myself will continue to learn, grow, and strive toward our ideals alongside everyone else.

Let us share our aspirations, take on challenges together, and build the future together. We look forward to your continued support for the future of INA&Associates Co., Ltd. We sincerely look forward to working with those who share our aspirations to reach even greater heights. We hope to continue this story together with you.

History of INA