CAREER

I studied architecture at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), graduating with a Master’s degree in Architecture. During my graduate studies, I had the opportunity to participate in an exchange studio in Japan that discussed aging populations leading abandoned traditional houses and architectural interventions in rural Japan .

For anyone studying architecture, Japan represents an extraordinary place to learn. The country’s approach to craftsmanship, proportion, materiality and construction has influenced architects around the world. The country has produced an extraordinary number of Pritzker Prize winners, the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in architecture, and studying/working here is something many aspiring architects dream of.

During the exchange, I had a change to learn from one of Japan’s Pritzker Prize-winning architects – Seijima Kazuyo. The studio brought together Japanese and Singaporean students, and because I spoke Japanese, I naturally found myself bridging communication between both groups. That experience taught me that architecture is as much about collaboration and understanding people as it is about designing buildings.

After graduating, I decided to remain in Japan and joined SUEP. by Suemitsu Hirokazu, another disciple in the Ito Toyo architectural family tree, where I spent nearly four years working on projects across Japan, Taiwan and Singapore.

The work was demanding. Long hours and six-day work weeks were common, and I lost count of the number of all-nighters I pulled in our office. But the experience gave me an appreciation for the level of discipline, precision and craftsmanship expected within Japanese architecture circles. I worked on award-winning projects, developed a strong technical foundation and learned tough lessons that continue to influence the way I approach both design and business today.

After almost four years, I realized I wanted to build something of my own. Rather than designing individual new buildings, I became increasingly interested in how architecture, economics and communities intersect. I also had the opportunity to return to traditional housing rather than new builds, which was what started my journey in Japan in the first place.

That was the beginning of AKIYA2.0 Inc.

BUSINESS

Japan’s vacant home problem is often discussed as a housing issue, but I believe it is fundamentally a community issue. As populations decline and younger generations move towards major cities, many rural towns are left with empty homes, known as akiya, ageing populations and shrinking local economies.

Many of these buildings are architecturally beautiful and culturally significant, but without maintenance, they gradually deteriorate until they are eventually beyond saving. When we restore a traditional property, we are not only preserving architecture. Renovation creates work for local contractors and craftsmen. Guests support neighbourhood businesses.

Owners return regularly and become connected to the communities they invest in. A single property cannot solve regional decline, but enough successful projects can contribute to meaningful change.

That broader perspective shaped how we built AKIYA2.0.

Rather than focusing solely on property transactions, we created an end-to-end business that supports clients through every stage of ownership, from sourcing suitable properties and navigating legal procedures to renovation management, ongoing property management and future commercial operation. Purchasing a home in another country can be complex, and our role is to make that journey accessible.

Our team reflects that same international outlook. We have welcomed interns and team members from countries across Asia, Europe, North America and South America, all brought together by a shared interest in Japan. Many first discover Japan through popular culture, but what often stays with them is a deeper appreciation for its architecture, craftsmanship and local communities.

VISION

People often ask whether Japan is becoming overwhelmed by tourism. The answer is more complicated than many people realize.

Conversations about tourism in Japan often focus on overtourism in cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. While those challenges are real, they represent only part of the picture and not all of Japan. There are dozens of prefectures that are actively trying to attract more visitors because tourism brings much-needed economic activity to their local communities.

Rural regions are actively looking for new residents, investment and visitors. These communities possess remarkable architecture, landscapes and history, yet remain largely unknown outside Japan.

I believe the future of sustainable tourism lies in directing attention towards these places rather than concentrating even more activity in destinations that are already under pressure. At the same time, I believe revitalization must be done responsibly.

I understand concerns that increased foreign investment could change the character of local communities. Those concerns deserve to be taken seriously. However, I do not believe preservation and international investment are mutually exclusive. When managed responsibly, overseas buyers can help restore historic buildings, support local businesses and contribute to the long-term sustainability of rural communities while respecting the culture that makes those places unique.

Architecture has always been about shaping how people live. Through AKIYA2.0, I have come to realise that preserving architecture also means preserving the communities that give those buildings meaning.

If our work succeeds, it should not simply be measured by the number of houses we restore. I hope it will be measured by whether more people choose to invest in, visit and care about parts of Japan that might otherwise have been forgotten. I hope it will measured by whether we can help ensure that Japan’s smaller towns continue to have life, culture, and opportunity for generations to come.

PROFILE

Lester Goh is a 33-year-old national of Singapore who has lived and worked in Japan for nearly 10 years. He holds a Master's in Architecture from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and has worked on award-winning Japanese and Taiwanese architectural projects. He speaks fluent English, Chinese and Japanese.

His experience in Japan helped him develop a particular interest in the reuse of traditional buildings and the relationship between architecture and regional communities.

In 2023, he co-founded AKIYA2.0, helping international buyers purchase, renovate, manage, and operate traditional Japanese Kominka properties. AKIYA2.0 focuses on on how responsible international investment can contribute to preserving Japan's traditional buildings and sustaining its rural communities.

Today, Lester's work lies in the intersection of architecture, real estate, and regional revitalisation, driven by the belief that vacant houses should be considered not only as real estate assets, but as part of the architectural and social fabric of their communities.

▼ AKIYA2.0 website
https://www.akiya2.com

▼ Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/akiya2.0/

▼ Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lestergohjy/

▼ Substack
https://genbanotes.substack.com/