In early June, 2026 IREM® President Mindy Gronbeck, CPM®, CCIM, 2026 IREM President-Elect Kim Collins, CPM®, IREM CEO Zack Wahlquist, and Leah Misbin, Senior Director of International Programs, traveled to Japan for several days of meaningful engagement with IREM Japan members, leaders, and partners.
The trip began in Tokyo with a series of meetings focused on partnership and growth. The group met with GMO ReTech, a major internet and communications company interested in partnering with IREM Japan as the first sponsor of its new sponsorship and industry partner program. They also visited Con Spirito, IREM Japan’s newest AMO®, and met with its executive CPM®, Yukio Murakami, CPM®.
The Tokyo portion of the visit concluded at Owner’s Agent, an affiliate of Art Avenue, AMO®, where Mark Fujisawa, CPM®, a founding member of IREM Japan and the executive CPM of one of Japan’s first AMOs, hosted an office tour and discussion on the AMO® program in Japan. It was also an opportunity to spend time with IREM instructor Eddie Sakihara, head of Owner’s Agent and a former IREM Japan VP.
From Tokyo, the group traveled to Nagoya for the IREM Japan 2026 Conference, where the week continued with cultural experiences, relationship-building, and celebration. IREM members from the UAE, Canada, New York and Hawaii joined IREM leadership in Nagoya, reflecting the organization’s growing global reach and the strength of its international community.
Strategic meetings with IREM Japan leadership reinforced a shared commitment to expanding IREM’s impact in the region. A highlight of the visit was the IREM Japan Annual Meeting and awards ceremony, where IREM celebrated the pinning of more than 70 new CPM designees and recognized the continued momentum of IREM Japan.
For Gronbeck, one of the most meaningful parts of the trip was meeting the IREM Japan Board of Directors. “Their dedication to advancing the profession and growing the value of IREM in Japan is inspiring,” she said. “The passion, professionalism, and commitment of these volunteer leaders continue to strengthen our global community.”
Collins also reflected on the significance of the visit. “It was an extraordinary honor to represent IREM and Bradley Company in a country that embodies respect, excellence, and genuine warmth in everything they do,” she said.
Both Gronbeck and Collins recognized IREM Japan Vice President Ari Shintani, CPM®, for his leadership and continued role in advancing IREM Japan’s progress.
Throughout the visit, moments of connection from formal meetings to shared meals highlighted the strength of IREM’s global community. The week underscored how partnership, cultural understanding, and shared purpose continue to support IREM’s growth around the world.
Wahlquist pointed to IREM Japan’s ambitious membership goal as a clear sign of that momentum. “Watch out: IREM Japan is setting itself up to reach a goal of 2,000 members,” he said. He noted that changes to the organization’s staffing structure, the creation of a sponsorship program, partnerships with other associations, and the dedication of volunteer leaders, including Shintani, have positioned IREM Japan for continued success. “They are making very intentional, strategic moves to reach this goal, and I’m confident they will get there,” Wahlquist said. “I’m proud to be part of this exciting work.”