I am thrilled to announce that FMI's PIKA PIKA service has officially launched. What is PIKA PIKA? It is a Japanese onomatopoeia meaning "sparkling clean"—much like the Cantonese expression "lap lap ling" (立立令)—used to describe something clean, shiny, and brand new. I personally came up with this company name. When we initially decided to expand our cleaning operations under our vacation rental management arm, this catchy and memorable Japanese term popped into my mind, and that is how PIKA PIKA got its name.

In the latest "Global Liveability Index 2026" released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), both Osaka and Japan's Tokyo achieved full scores in key evaluation categories, including quality healthcare systems, comprehensive education frameworks, and exceptional social stability. They ranked 7th and 10th overall, respectively, making them the only two Asian cities to break into the top ten. This marks the eighth consecutive year that Osaka has secured a spot in the top ten.

Last week, FMI held two seminars on investing in Japanese real estate in Taiwan—one in Hsinchu and another at our Taichung office. The main theme of these seminars focused on mortgage approvals for purchasing Japanese property. Why focus specifically on loans? For a long time, there have been various misconceptions in the market regarding buying property in Japan, the most common being that you cannot secure a mortgage for Japanese real estate. This rumor has deterred many investors over the years, but the reality is that FMI's buyers can not only apply for mortgages but also have a strong track record of successful approvals. When loans are rejected, the reasons are frequently personal rather than standard practices in the Japanese real estate industry.

Property prices in Japan have been on a steady upward trajectory in recent years, which in turn has supercharged the local rental market. As of April this year, residential rents per square meter in Osaka City rose for the sixth consecutive month, increasing by 2.6% month-on-month to 3,428 Yen. Although Japanese property prices are significantly lower than those in Hong Kong, it is interesting to note that the vast majority of Osaka residents actually prefer renting over buying. In Osaka City alone, the proportion of renters is nearly 55%; among single-person households, a staggering 76% choose to rent. This cultural preference for renting is primarily driven by Osaka's status as the economic engine of the Kansai region, drawing a massive influx of international students and white-collar professionals. Renting offers greater flexibility, allowing people to relocate easily for career changes. Supported by this robust, inelastic demand, Osaka's average net rental yields reach an impressive 4% to 6%, significantly outperforming regions like Hong Kong and Taiwan and making it a paradise for long-term rental investors.

FMI has established a solid presence in Japan for over a decade. Through our flagship "The Peak" series, we have made a name for ourselves in Osaka, earning the trust of investors, travelers, local banks, contractors, and even nearby residents who consistently praise the quality and design of FMI properties. While The Peak series is firmly rooted in the market, we never rest on our laurels. We are constantly exploring new opportunities, which has led us to launch a brand-new sub-brand: The Vista.

今年是FMI的拓展之年，我們由年初開始不斷主動出擊，嘗試探索更多新方向。繼五月首度參加台北國際觀光博覽會後，到六月又有另一個「第一次」，就是首次亮相韓國大型旅遊盛會SITF 2026「第41屆首爾國際旅遊博覽會」，將FMI民宿和OKINI Home App帶到韓國，讓更多人認識大阪優質民宿預訂服務和投資機會。