Ep.16 Taito Ohe - Tokyo, Japan

Global Real Estate Dealmakers

The Tokyo-based Taito Ohe joins the show to explain how his architectural background, top-notch education, and interest in entrepreneurship have led him to co-found U-Share as one of its three partners. Balancing his responsibilities as Chief Strategy Officer with a separate role at the acclaimed architectural firm, Plantec, Taito describes the reasons for creating this new residential asset class and the challenges & rewards associated with opening the first two locations during a pandemic.

Having completed his Bachelor of Engineering in Architecture at the University of Tokyo and MBA at Harvard Business School, Taito has worked on condominium, office, and retail projects in the United States, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Dealmaker Highlights

00:42 - Episode Intro
05:34 - CAREER FOUNDATIONS: The Ascent of a Dealmaker
10:01 - Decision to Attend HBS
11:53 - Exceeding Expectations at B-School
13:16 - Various Experiences Lead to U-Share
15:27 - Reasons for U-Share Business Model
17:46 - Co-Founder Responsibilities
19:34 - MAKING THE MARKET: A Research Perspective
20:00 - Importance of Tourism
22:56 - U-Share Works Well in Japan
26:50 - Site Selection Criteria
28:42 - Unique Design Elements
30:09 - Attempts at Similar Model in Other Countries
31:33 - Positive and Negative Effects of COVID-19
34:20 - Major Events During COVID-19
38:34 - Effects of Restricted Border Controls
41:22 - COVID’s Effect on Future U-Share Projects
42:56 - Government Stimulus
46:05 - Message to U-Share Investors
47:19 - POLITICS AND ATTORNEYS: Red Tape and Bureaucracy
48:10 - Interaction with Japanese Government
51:35 - Governmental Nepotism
52:25 - Impacts to Permitting Process
53:38 - Unknown Policy Outcomes

55:01 - FINANCE AND FORMULAS: The Economics Behind the Deal
55:46 - Salient Issues for U-Share
56:26 - Discovery of Development Sites
58:00 - Rewarding Parts of Development
1:00:14 - Reasons for Creating Expat Housing
1:02:38 - Costs of U-Share Living
1:06:27 - Long-Term Business Plans
1:09:29 - INVESTMENT COMMITTEE Q&A: Japanese Business Practices
1:10:18 - Communications Styles between Japan and US
1:12:17 - Difficulties for Foreign Workers
1:14:55 - Recommendations for Foreign Workers
1:16:28 - Tourist in Your Own Town: How to Spend a Perfect Three Days
1:16:54 - Finer Aspects of Tokyo Life

Additional Information:

KUROFUNE Design Holdings: https://www.kurofune-dh.com/
U-Share: https://en.u-share.com/top/
Plantec: https://plantec.co.jp/en/about/

Contact Information:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/taito-ohe
For more information head on over to: kylenaye.com