A recent meeting between real estate executives from Florida and Japan resulted in a partnership commitment that representatives on both sides believe will lead to increased investment in the Sunshine State.
Florida Realtors president Tim Weisheyer traveled to Tokyo in October as part of an annual economic development meeting between the southeastern United States and Japan. There, he and Masayuki Nakagawa, chairman of the Japan-America Real Estate Coalition Office, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to cooperation and promotion between the two agencies.
The partnership comes as Japan has shown greater interest in locating ventures in Florida.
“Recently, more Japanese real estate developers have started partnering with local developers in Florida to work on projects that range from land acquisition to development, leasing and sales,” a representative of JARECO wrote in an email to Homes.com.
Weisheyer said Florida Realtors' member agents are the gateway for Japanese investors. “Our members are on the frontline on the commercial side to help with site selection,” he told Homes.com.
Currently, Japan is not among the top five markets for international buyers of Florida real estate, according to Florida Realtors' research. However, another development in the nation, occurring roughly around the same time as the meeting, suggests a potential shift in that dynamic.
New connections reveal new opportunities
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, of which Weisheyer was chair until stepping down in July, announced that Orlando International Airport would see its first direct flights to Tokyo in 2026 with discount Japanese airline ZIPAIR.
“It’s been a longstanding goal to open more direct flights to Asia,” Weisheyer said. “Economic opportunity and exchange become much easier.”
“Interest in Florida among Japanese travelers has been steadily increasing, especially among families and retirees who value long-stay vacations in warm climates,” the JARECO representative said. “In Japan, convenience and accessibility play a major role in travel and investment decisions. If direct flights between Japan and Florida become available, I’m confident that more people will not only visit but also start thinking about owning vacation homes or investment properties there.”
Florida saw 21% of all international real estate sales from April 2024 to March 2025, the highest share of international buyers in the country, according to the National Association of Realtors. And Florida Realtors found that more than 90% of global buyers visited before making a purchase.
“Florida has world-famous destinations — beaches, resorts, and, of course, Disney World — so it already has strong appeal,” the JARECO representative said.
Differences in how real estate transactions are handled in each country were part of the reason for the signed memorandum between the two real estate agencies.
“In Japan, transactions tend to place strong emphasis on trust, detailed due diligence, procedures, and documentation,” the JARECO representative said. “On the other hand, in the U.S., the market is driven by data transparency and the extensive use of MLS, with a strong focus on speed and openness in transactions. “Bridging these two approaches requires mutual understanding and education. One of the key purposes of this MOU is exactly that — to build a bridge of knowledge and trust between professionals in both countries. Through training, information exchange, and professional networking, we hope to help create a smoother and more transparent environment for international transactions.”