Celebrating IREM Japan

In June 2025, IREM’s Leadership Team was invited to attend IREM Japan’s annual meeting in Fukuoka to commemorate the swearing-in of more than 80 new CPMs^® from across Japan. 2025 IREM President Dawn Carpenter, CPM^®, led the swearing-in ceremony. 2025 President-Elect Mindy Gronbeck, CPM^®; 2025 Secretary/Treasurer Kim Collins, CPM^®; IREM CEO Zack Wahlquist, and IREM HQ team members Senior Director of International Programs Leah Misbin and International Education Coordinator/IREM Japan Liaison Megan Beckerich were also in attendance at the celebration.

IREM Japan

IREM Japan was established as the Japan Chapter in November 2003. IREM Japan achieved IREM Country status in 2017 with the formation of three chapters: the East Japan Chapter (Tokyo and surrounding areas), the West Japan Chapter (Osaka, Kyoto, and surrounding areas), and the Kyushu Chapter (Fukuoka and surrounding areas). In 2019, they added two more chapters: the Hokkaido Chapter in the north and the Tokai Chapter in the south (centered around Nagoya). IREM Japan currently has 899 members and anticipates breaking 1,000 soon. 

Arihiro “Ari” Shintani, CPM^®, CCIM

As an IREM Country, IREM Japan elects a vice president who oversees all IREM activity in Japan. This year, IREM Japan saw the transition from outgoing Vice President Takashi Yoshimura, CPM^®, to incoming Vice President Arihiro “Ari” Shintani, CPM^®, CCIM, past president of the West Japan Chapter and 2020 CCIM Japan president. 

Shintani has a bold vision for the future of IREM Japan and was recently featured in local industry media for his induction as IREM Japan vice president and his plans for the organization. His goal is not only to expand the chapters but also to promote cross-chapter communication in Japan, helping young professionals connect with veterans in the industry. In his general report during the swearing-in on June 4, he concluded with a message to the new members: “Create your own opportunities and let them change you.” 

Shintani’s priorities as vice president have been consistent since his tenure as West Japan Chapter President from 2022 to 2024. “New members need to have the opportunity to participate, share their perspectives, and grow so they can better learn to be leaders,” he shared with IREM leadership. “It’s thanks to the members that IREM Japan has grown, and it will be through members that it continues to thrive.”

Annual meeting in Fukuoka

This year’s annual meeting was held in Fukuoka, a major metropolis and the main base of operations for the IREM Kyushu Chapter.

Fukuoka is the most populous city in Kyushu, one of the four main islands that comprise Japan. Fukuoka is the sixth-largest city in Japan, with a population of almost 1.6 million. Fukuoka’s population has boomed over the past decade, surpassing that of nearby cities like Kobe and Kyoto. With the growing population comes growth for IREM Japan. Among the five chapters in Japan, Kyushu is the second-largest, with 235 members, behind East Japan, which has 388 members. The Kyushu Chapter primarily operates out of Fukuoka Prefecture, with most members residing near or in Fukuoka.

Continued growth for IREM Japan

IREM Japan is rapidly approaching its 25th anniversary, and plans are already underway to commemorate the milestone. At the 2023 Global Summit in Toronto, as part of the Japan Forum, IREM HQ staff shared details on how IREM marketed its milestone 90th anniversary celebration. 

Similar to the one created for the 90th anniversary, a special video in anticipation of IREM Japan’s 25th anniversary was played during the Gala Dinner. It featured all of the past IREM Japan presidents and founders sharing their thoughts and well-wishes for new and current members. IREM Japan leadership celebrated IREM Japan’s past and its future. During his speech as new vice president, Shintani reflected on the mentorship he received both for his professional career and as an IREM volunteer leader. He envisions a program that will help all members receive that kind of support across the Japanese chapters.

“We want to make it easier for members to network and learn from other members,” he says.

2025 IREM President Dawn Carpenter expressed her excitement for IREM Japan’s future and what the next years may bring. “IREM Japan has seen incredible growth and success since its inception almost 25 years ago,” Carpenter said. “To see the founding members pass the baton to younger generations shows how IREM is better together and will continue to be an example of excellence for the organization.”

Looking ahead—IREM’s global strategy

It’s clear to everyone who attended the annual meeting in Fukuoka that IREM Japan members are dedicated and passionate. Their enthusiasm for the industry is apparent, as is their commitment to fostering ethical property management practices. Throughout the event, members—at all levels of tenure with IREM—were recognized for their contributions to IREM, whether as standout students or as longtime collaborators. During the celebration, there was a strong sense of camaraderie and a lot of excitement for what will come next.

In line with IREM’s global strategy developed in 2023 and 2024, IREM will continue to support IREM Japan and its growth. IREM Japan offers the CPM curriculum entirely in Japanese, taught by Japanese IREM instructors. Many chapter leaders in Japan are also IREM instructors, including Shintani and outgoing Vice President Yoshimura. CPM courses are held annually in five locations that correspond to the five chapters: Sapporo City, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Japan also has 12 active AMOs^®—in large part thanks to the fact that BDM603 is available in Japanese with local IREM instructors. IREM will continue to support the production and distribution of Japanese language educational materials and resources for chapters and members.

As part of the business proceeding, the IREM delegation met with IREM Japan’s Board to discuss chapter strategies. As Shintani shared in his report, IREM Japan aims to continue expanding its growth through more collaborations with local industry partners, similar to what many chapters in the U.S. do. As Shintani repeatedly said throughout the event, collaboration is key. IREM will continue to collaborate and foster the enthusiasm and dedication seen in Japan.

“IREM Japan’s award ceremony in Fukuoka demonstrated how our members make IREM amazing through collaborative leadership,” said IREM CEO Zack Wahlquist. “It was great to meet so many of the members in Japan and learn more about their work and what motivates them. It’s exciting to see what comes next as they continue to flourish.”

IREM Japan annual meeting 2026

Tetsuya Minoura, CPM®

Amidst the festivities, Nagoya, Japan, was announced as the venue for the 2026 IREM Japan annual meeting. Tokai Chapter President Tetsuya Minoura, CPM®, said: “Nagoya is a city steeped in history, and in particular was home to the legendary Tokugawa family, whose influence across all of Japan can still be felt today. We want to take this opportunity to celebrate the Japan of both the past and present in recognition of our new members and to continue to recognize the outstanding achievements of our pre-existing members.”