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Agent Connect Award 2025: A New Era in Real Estate Evaluation

On January 24, 2026, Agent Connect Inc. held its inaugural event, the "Agent Connect Award 2025," aimed at re-evaluating the value of real estate agents through a new perspective that is not solely dependent on sales and transaction volumes. This recognition event reflected a growing trend in the real estate industry where the focus is shifting from "which property" to "who to trust" in real estate transactions.

At the heart of this event was a recognition of the dedication shown by agents who prioritize quality interactions with clients. The keynote speaker, Tatsuya Oikawa, a director of the Tokyo Real Estate Association, spoke about the current and future landscape of the real estate market alongside industry leaders, emphasizing the importance of expertise and trust in the evolving methods of real estate transactions.

Event Overview

• - Name: Agent Connect Award 2025
• - Organizer: Agent Connect Inc.
• - Date: January 24, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
• - Format: Hybrid of on-site and Zoom webinar

The event began with an opening speech by Kosuke Tomiya, the CEO of Agent Connect, outlining the dawn of an era where agents, or people, take precedence over mere property listings. This was followed by an awards ceremony recognizing the top performers in three categories:

• - Best Editor Award
• - Best Answer Award
• - Best Agent Award

In addition to the awards, Oikawa's keynote presentation discussed the structural challenges faced within the real estate market today, highlighting the issue of "information asymmetry." This structural issue has led to a scenario where honest agents who focus on risk management often find themselves undervalued under traditional KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) like sales volume.

Addressing Industry Challenges

The need for the Agent Connect Award stemmed from the current transformation in Japan's real estate market, largely driven by the digitalization of property data which has made price comparison easier than ever. However, to successfully navigate the intricacies of real estate transactions, qualitative factors such as agent expertise and transparency in information disclosure are essential yet remain difficult to assess.

The award aims to address this discrepancy by presenting a fresh value standard for real estate agents focusing on three key pillars:
1. Providing Assurance Through People: By making visible the expertise and track records of agents, users can confidently make life-altering decisions, knowing that they are entrusting their choices to reliable individuals.
2. Celebrating Professionalism: Awards in categories that reflect transaction quality rather than mere sales exemplify the many forms professionals contribute to the industry beyond just numbers.
3. Updating the Perception of Agent Professions: Through Oikawa's insights, the event aimed to shine a spotlight on the expected qualities of agents in the future, re-emphasizing agents as valued specialists in the industry.

The ceremony garnered lots of applause as top performers were recognized in various capacities, highlighting their invaluable contributions despite the challenges of the previous year.

The Awards Ceremony

Best Editor Award Results:

• - First Place: Haruki Nakamura of Mirai Suma
• - Second Place: Shinichi Nishi of Next Step Inc.
• - Third Place: Masato Morishita of Leaf Creation

Best Agent Award Results:

• - First Place: Tatsunori Konyu of Sumap
• - Second Place: Takashi Kashiwai of Sumap
• - Third Place: Toshihito Hirano of RE-ARCHI PROPERTY

Best Answer Award (Special Mention): There were no winners for this award; however, special recognition was awarded to Shinichi Nishi and Taku Kato for their exceptional dedication to helping clients through real questions and insights.

Keynote Insights

Oikawa highlighted the necessity for agents to cultivate strong human relationships, suggesting that in a world heavily reliant on AI and technology, it is the human touch that provides clients with confidence in their decisions. He urged future agents to prioritize ethical practices and maintain integrity to solidify trust within the industry.

Agent Connect CEO Kosuke Tomiya commented on the necessity of establishing a platform where agents can be accurately represented through their commitment to transparency and a people-first approach. As the event concluded, conversations continued about evolving industry standards and the critical roles of each agent in shaping the future of real estate.

About Agent Connect

Agent Connect Inc. operates a platform designed specifically to alleviate transparency concerns in the real estate market, allowing consumers to engage confidently with agents who excel not just in sales but also in nurturing trust and detailed knowledge about the industry. Through its innovative approach, the company facilitates a more transparent, user-friendly environment for real estate transactions.

The Agent Connect Award 2025 embodies a pivotal moment in the industry, propelling the movement towards an agent-centric approach rather than a property-centric one.