G
ATES Inc., a Japanese real estate investment firm, is pioneering the use of blockchain technology to simplify property transactions for foreign buyers. The company plans to tokenize $75 million worth of income-generating properties in central Tokyo using the Oasys blockchain, making it easier for foreigners to access Japan's real estate market.

    The initiative aims to overcome legal and regulatory hurdles that often deter foreign investors from entering the Japanese market. By putting ownership records on the blockchain, GATES hopes to reduce high legal costs, complex regulations, and language barriers associated with buying and selling property in Japan.

    GATES plans to expand its tokenization efforts rapidly, aiming to tokenize over $200 billion in assets, or about 1% of Japan's $20.5 trillion property market. This move is part of a broader trend of institutions exploring the use of blockchain technology for transactions and recording ownership of real-world assets.

    The company has filed paperwork for a potential Nasdaq listing and reported $145 million in revenue in 2024. GATES' CEO, Yushi Sekino, stated that the firm will add value to Japan's reliable real estate assets by issuing tokens that combine profitability and utility, making it easier for global investors to access Japanese assets.

    GATES is working with Oasys, a layer-1 blockchain originally designed for gaming, which has shifted its focus toward real-world asset tokenization. The company plans to bring its tokenized real estate model to markets in the U.S., Southeast Asia, and Europe, and may also include tokenized intellectual property rights to Japanese media franchises in future phases.