Why Did We Decide to Start a Business in the Real Estate Industry?
The founding of INA&Associates Co., Ltd. was inspired by the deeply moving reality of people in the real estate industry who were "never properly recognized no matter how hard they worked."
After graduating from university, I joined a real estate developer and began my career launching a condominium sales business. While I found great meaning in the responsible work of helping customers with their homes and assets, as I worked on the ground I gradually came face to face with a certain reality: there were many people who, no matter how hard they worked, were never properly recognized or rewarded.
What I remember most vividly is the words of a craftsman I met at a construction site. Despite years in construction and exceptional skills, he lamented that only the name of the general contractor received recognition while those on the ground were never in the spotlight. In the real estate and construction industries, multi-layered general contractor and subcontractor structures were the norm, and a system existed in which the contributions of those working hard on the ground were difficult to properly evaluate.
My conviction to "create a society where those who work hard are properly rewarded" solidified, and with the encouragement of a mentor I respected, I made the decision to start a business. Together with colleagues who shared the same vision, we took our first steps toward founding INA&Associates Co., Ltd.
What Challenges Did We Face in the Early Days?
In the early days, we started from zero with no name recognition or track record, and faced the dual challenges of earning trust and the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the company was first established, the initial hurdle was gaining "trust." For a newcomer, winning the confidence of customers and business partners was no easy task. Being turned away even during cold-call sales visits was not uncommon, which made the joy of receiving our first job request from a former supervisor indescribable.
Shortly after founding, we were confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic. As in-person sales visits and property tours became difficult, rather than clinging to conventional methods, we shifted our thinking. We were among the first in the industry to embrace online business negotiations and property viewings, and actively adopted new technologies such as VR property tours and remote contract procedures. This approach earned us a reputation, and inquiries began to grow from customers who would never have found us through traditional means — such as those living far away or abroad.
Being able to overcome the early days was thanks to the founding members who shared every joy and hardship alongside us, and to the many people who supported us. The attitude of continuing to challenge ourselves without fear of failure built the strength to never be defeated by adversity.
What Is INA&Associates' Philosophy and Growth Journey?
INA's corporate philosophy is "to create a society where those who work hard are properly recognized and rewarded." This unwavering philosophy has been the compass guiding five years of growth.
To give concrete form to the vision we set out with at founding — "to build a platform where those who work hard are rewarded" — we have broken down the opaque practices deeply entrenched in the real estate industry and committed to transparent and fair transactions. In the brokerage of real estate sales and rentals, we consistently clarify fee structures that tend to become complex and maintain an open-information approach.
Actively leveraging the power of technology, we refined the online property viewing system into a standard service offering, and in a project connecting regional talent with urban demand, we achieved both local job creation and operational efficiency.
Our business domain has steadily expanded — starting from sales brokerage, we have now extended our field into property management, technology, talent placement, and consulting. In addition to our headquarters in Osaka, we have established offices in Tokyo and Kanagawa, and under the conviction that the growth of each individual employee is essential to corporate growth, we continue to build an environment where employees can maximize their abilities.
What Is the Future of the Real Estate Industry and Our Outlook Going Forward?
The real estate industry is at a major turning point, and INA will play a role in forging a new future for the industry by merging technology with human values.
Innovative technologies such as AI, IoT, and blockchain have the potential to transform the very nature of real estate transactions. INA will actively embrace such cutting-edge technologies to provide customers with fast, high-value services. However, technology is ultimately only a means — people always remain at the center. By merging human-centered consulting with the latest technology, we aspire to remain a company capable of offering proposals tailored to each individual customer.
In the future, we aim to grow INA&Associates into a globally competitive company. We have multilingual staff and members well-versed in overseas real estate markets, and we will continue to challenge ourselves to expand into international markets and build a global talent network.
How Will the Spirit of Our Founding Be Carried Forward?
Our new mission is to pass on to the next generation the flame of belief ignited at the time of our founding: "to create a society where those who work hard are properly rewarded."
Looking back, what has driven us from the day of our founding to today has always been a burning passion. The desire to change the industry and create a society where people are properly rewarded has never wavered for even a moment. And now that flame is spreading in the hearts of all the colleagues who have gathered at INA&Associates.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the colleagues who have walked this path with us, and to all the customers and partner companies who share our vision and walk alongside us.
Let us share our vision together, challenge together, and build the future together. We hope you will look forward to what lies ahead for INA&Associates Co., Ltd.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What were the circumstances behind the founding of INA&Associates?
A. Representative Daisuke Inazawa witnessed the structural problem in the real estate industry where "effort is not properly recognized," and founded the company in Osaka in February 2020. It was established alongside like-minded colleagues under the mission of "creating a society where those who work hard are rewarded."
Q. How has the company grown over the five years since its founding?
A. Starting from sales brokerage, the company has expanded into five business areas: property management, technology, talent placement, and consulting. In addition to our Osaka headquarters, we have established offices in Tokyo and Kanagawa, and have grown into a company where diverse talent from across the country gathers.
Q. What is INA's vision going forward?
A. Aiming to become the "World's No. 1 Talent Investment Company," we will work to strengthen the use of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and IoT, expand into overseas markets, and build a global talent network.
Q. How did you overcome founding the company during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A. Ahead of the industry, we introduced online business negotiations and VR property viewings, and actively adopted new technologies such as remote contract procedures. By turning adversity into opportunity, we succeeded in developing new customer segments from distant regions and overseas.
Q. What kind of talent is INA looking for?
A. We are looking for talent who resonates with our philosophy of "creating a society where those who work hard are rewarded" and who is motivated to pursue both personal growth and social contribution. We welcome those who wish to demonstrate their abilities without being constrained by location or environment.
