Since childhood, Hayato Kawamura, a 38-year-old from Osaka, has been fascinated by real estate. This passion led him to pursue a career in the field, but he soon became disillusioned with corporate life after witnessing his boss’s demotion and feeling his own hard work wasn’t being properly rewarded.

Determined to achieve financial independence, Mr Kawamura began saving and, at 23, bought his first auctioned flat. He later sold it for a significant profit. He then focused on acquiring dilapidated houses in remote areas, often for less than 1 million yen. By making minimal renovations, he quickly rented these properties, some of which were in extremely poor condition.

Mr Kawamura’s strategy also involved building strong relationships with estate agents, ensuring he received the best property leads. In 2018, he established his own real estate company, Merryhome. Over the past few years, he has reportedly bought 200 run-down houses, generating over ¥140m in rental income, through a combination of savings, loans, and rental profits.

He told South China Morning Post: “I never expected to get rich overnight. Real estate investment is a long-term game that requires patience and careful attention.”