#Japan #Tokyo #GTN #BEST-ESTATE.JP #Housing Japan

GTN Revamps BEST-ESTATE.JP App for Foreign Residents

Global Trust Networks (GTN) has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its specialized housing platform, BEST-ESTATE.JP, aimed at supporting foreign residents in Japan. The company, headquartered in Toshima, Tokyo, offers a variety of services to assist foreigners with aspects of life in Japan, such as housing, employment, telecommunications, and finance. The newly enhanced app seeks to provide a comfortable and safe living environment in line with the goal of fostering a multicultural coexistence in Japanese society.

Background of the Overhaul

Japan faces critical labor shortages due to its declining and aging population, increasing the need for foreign talent, including international students and skilled professionals. Despite this growing acceptance of foreigners, challenges such as the lack of guarantors, unclear rental agreements, and language barriers make it difficult for them to secure housing in the real estate market.

Founded as a rental guarantee company for foreigners, GTN has expanded its services to encompass a one-stop support system that includes housing, telecommunications, finance, and everyday life consultations. At the core of these offerings lies BEST-ESTATE.JP, a platform designed not only to help in property searches but also to address broader societal issues surrounding the comfort and security of foreigners living in Japan.

Many users seek help not only with their property requirements but also with essential information regarding daily life in Japan and the local atmosphere. The recent revamp of BEST-ESTATE.JP focuses on improving the app’s functionality with a centralized chat feature, allowing property searches, daily life consultations, and language support to be conducted seamlessly.

Highlights of the BEST-ESTATE.JP App

Foreign-friendly Listings

All properties listed on BEST-ESTATE.JP are guaranteed by GTN through property management companies, ensuring that they are open to foreign tenants. This systematic approach allows users to search for homes with confidence.

Real-time Property Information

The app connects directly with the core systems of property management companies, providing access to the latest available listings. This integration promotes an efficient and straightforward home search process.

Multilingual and Live Chat Support

By integrating with popular social media platforms such as LINE, users can converse in their native languages, making it easier to ask questions about the local atmosphere or specific living conditions. Multinational staff members aim to address their queries sensitively and effectively.

Extensive User Experience

With over 20,000 inquiries from more than 108 countries annually, around 50% of users access the platform before arriving in Japan, ensuring they secure housing well in advance of their move.

Key Improvements in the New Design

The UI overhaul enables users to search for properties intuitively, even on smartphones. Enhanced visual cues and specific search filters, such as furnished apartments or suitability for two residents, enhance user experience significantly. By integrating property searches, daily life consultations, and multilingual support within the app, users can manage all their housing needs within a single platform, ensuring a smoother transition for newcomers to Japan.

Future Developments

Looking ahead, GTN plans to introduce additional features by spring 2026, including a nationwide room search function leveraging maps for users to explore desired areas or surroundings while searching for properties.

GTN also aims to implement a recommendation system poised to suggest properties based on users' residency statuses and nationalities, providing a more tailored home search experience. Additionally, the company plans to expand its communication channels to include popular messaging applications such as WhatsApp, KakaoTalk, and Facebook Messenger, allowing users to engage in familiar environments.

As a platform for foreigners embarking on their new lives in Japan, BEST-ESTATE.JP is committed to facilitating a seamless transition by providing housing solutions as well as broader support for living comfortably in Japan.

Commitment to Building Trust

According to Executive Officer and Head of Real Estate Business, Koen Zheng, his own experiences as a foreign resident in Japan drive the company's dedication to understanding and addressing the concerns faced by foreign residents. He emphasizes the importance of creating an accessible housing search platform filled with reliable, up-to-date information and accommodating chat functionalities that empower foreigners to begin their new lives with confidence.

About GTN

GTN aims to tangibly realize its mission, “Making it worthwhile for foreigners to come to Japan,” through its specialized services since its establishment in 2006. The company offers comprehensive support for housing, employment, telecommunications, and finance aimed at facilitating a smooth transition to life in Japan. Approximately 70% of its staff are foreign nationals from about 20 different countries, bringing a deep understanding of various languages and cultures to resolving life’s diverse challenges.

Company Profile
Name: Global Trust Networks, Inc.
Headquarters: Oak Ikebukuro Building, 1-21-11 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Founded: July 2006
CEO: Hiroyuki Goto
Business Activities: Rental guarantee, rental agency, telecommunications, finance, residency support, and recruitment services
Website: GTN Official Website