Japan

Konpira Yacht Services 

SuperYacht Times has announced additional topics and speakers for the upcoming <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/325" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit - 2026 - 3rd Edition">Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit</a>. Now in its third edition, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/325" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit - 2026 - 3rd Edition">event</a> will take place on 7 and 8 May 2026 in Kobe, Japan, at La Suite Kobe Oceans Garden.Following two previous editions in Hong Kong, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/325" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit - 2026 - 3rd Edition">Summit</a> will be hosted in Japan for the first time, reflecting increased industry focus on the country’s expanding superyacht infrastructure and cruising potential.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390760/image/large-146654e30858a77fb5fc5eb4bef88ac9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390760">Thursday 7 May&nbsp;8:30 - 9:15 - Welcome Coffee&nbsp;9:15 - 9:30 - Presenting the Asia-Pacific Superyacht ReportThe <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/325" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit - 2026 - 3rd Edition">Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit</a> will begin with the presentation of the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Market Report 2025/2026. This report provides an overview of recent developments in the region and outlines the principal topics for discussion throughout the event.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390751/image/large-c17bf753c2c926c9c96faf500643d6d7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390751">9:30 - 10:10 - Kobe as a regional gateway for superyacht operationsThis panel will explore the development of Kobe’s marina and associated superyacht facilities, assessing how improved infrastructure, services and regulatory access may strengthen the city’s role as a gateway for yachts operating in Japanese waters.<ul><li>Mr Kinoshita, President and CEO of the Hotel New Awaji Group, representing the Awaji Island Tourism Association (DMO)</li><li>Nigel Beatty, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1317" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yachtzoo (Company)">Yachtzoo</a></li><li>Mr Makiya Nambu, Executive Vice President and Director, Pasona Group</li><li>Mr Koji Shirahase, Director of Waterfront Redevelopment Department at Port and Harbor Bureau, Kobe&nbsp;</li><li>Mr. Hiroshi Taneike, Yacht Harbor Co., Ltd</li></ul><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390752/image/large-4175f60f0567c30532aeebf8e52a51be.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390752">10:10 - 10:50 - Developing Japan as a superyacht destinationRecent amendments to regulations governing foreign-flagged yachts have begun to reduce long-standing barriers to entry in Japan. This session will explore how these reforms, combined with infrastructure investment and destination development, are influencing cruising patterns and the country’s broader appeal to visiting superyachts.<ul><li>Mr. Yukio Shintani, President of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1132" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Creation Marine (Company)">Creation Marine</a></li><li>Kenta Inaba, President and Partner at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6572" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Super Yacht Logistics Japan (Company)">Super Yacht Logistics Japan</a></li><li>Kirk Patterson, President of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8701" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Konpira Yacht Services (Company)">Konpira Yacht Services</a></li><li>Mr Yoshiteru Sakaguchi, Director of the Chugoku–Shikoku Office, Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan</li><li>Mr Toru Nishio, Director of Exchange Promotion Department , Kagawa Prefectural Government</li></ul>10:50 - 11:30 - Coffee Break<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390754/image/large-6a4403fa952b0bb75c87852b2c061cd1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390754">11:30 - 12:00 - Understanding Japanese superyacht clientsMichael will draw on his experience working with Japanese clients to discuss how cultural expectations, communication styles and decision-making structures influence the sales and ownership process.<ul><li>Michael Breman, Sales Director at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen Yachts</a></li></ul><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390755/image/large-8b5bf0bc19637c2d7cdd19cb81b98d07.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390755">12:00 - 12:40 - How superyacht purchasing patterns are evolving in Asia-Pacific regionAs wealth demographics shift and new generations of owners enter the market, purchasing behaviour across the Asia-Pacific is evolving. This panel will explore how client expectations, usage patterns, brokerage practices and financing structures are changing, and what these developments mean for builders, brokers and service providers seeking to engage buyers in the region.<ul><li>Julien Solari, CCO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">Camper &amp; Nicholsons</a> Asia&nbsp;</li><li>Angel Zhou, President of Sales for Asia, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a>&nbsp;</li><li>Nina Lee Boudoul, Director for the Asia Pacific Region, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef</a></li></ul><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392087/image/large-c19c4953f41c908f20a6b08e0bb44196.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392087">12:40 - 13:05 - Inside Japan’s yachting industry: Culture, experience and challengesIn this session, Phillip Peatey, who has spent more than 15 years working in the Japanese yachting industry as an owner’s representative and regatta organiser will share first-hand perspectives on Japan’s superyacht industry.Drawing on his experience, the discussion will explore the challenges of operating in Japan, the nuances of engaging with Japanese stakeholders and the local business practices that shape the industry.<ul><li>Phillip Peatey&nbsp;</li></ul>13:10 - 14:30 - Lunch&nbsp;14:30 - 15:10 - &nbsp;Q&amp;A with Stuart Gibson owner of 35.2-metre&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunseeker (Company)">Sunseeker</a>&nbsp;yacht SkyeIn this session, Gibson, who has cruised extensively in Japan, will discuss his background, his experiences in the country and his decision to relocate there. He will also reflect on what he values about living in Japan and share his views on how the country can further develop as an attractive yachting destination.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390753/image/large-0b0afecebe8afe0e88e753d58b8ccca5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390753">15:10 - 16:00 - Why International shipyards are investing in the Asia-PacificSeveral international shipyards have expanded their presence in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years. This panel will examine the strategic motivations behind that investment and how these builders evaluate the region’s long-term commercial potential.<ul><li>Nick Stratton, Chief Sales Officer, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7795" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo Asia-Pacific (Company)">Sanlorenzo APAC</a></li><li>Erwin Bamps, CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/955" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gulf Craft (Company)">Gulf Craft Group</a></li><li>Rob Luijendijk, Director Sales at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a></li><li>Andrea Antichi, General Manager of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/358" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azimut Yachts (Company)">Azimut Yachts</a></li></ul><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390843/image/large-3ceeb2a2134513d03fbaf7eb05fec67f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390843">16:00 - 16:30 - The Australia playbook for yacht building in Asia-PacificThis panel will examine the development of yacht building in Asia-Pacific through the lens of the Australian market. It will explore what Australia has done well, where further progress may still be needed, and whether its experience offers a practical model for other regional yards seeking to strengthen their global competitiveness.<ul><li>Chris Blackwell, Sales &amp; Marketing Manager, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Echo Yachts (Company)">Echo Yachts</a></li><li>David Good, President, CEO, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7593" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX) (Company)">Australian International Marine Export Group</a></li></ul>16:30 - 17:30 - Drinks19:00 - 22:30 - DinnerFriday 8 May8:45 - 9:45 - Welcome Coffee<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390759/image/large-910e8fbfc2431ebbb1e92380d9b21128.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390759">9:45 - 10:30 Developing marinas for superyacht operations in Asia-Pacific region As more superyachts cruise the region, marina infrastructure is becoming a prerequisite for sustained growth. This panel will examine how developers and operators are both building new facilities and upgrading existing marinas to accommodate larger yachts, from berth depth and shore power to technical services and crew amenities, and assess what operational standards are required to support consistent superyacht activity across the Asia-Pacific.<ul><li>Ruurd van Putten, Area Director Southeast Asia at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8222" href="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/news/per:100/title:asia-pacific+superyacht+summit/published:0/not_published:0#managed-by-system" target="_blank">Marinetek</a></li><li>Cissy Chan, Executive Director, Commercial, Airport Authority Hong Kong</li><li>Robin Shellcock, Superyacht Captain</li></ul><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390757/image/large-bc4d38374beaf6faf996b76f0137e399.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390757">10:30 - 11:15 - Operating yachts in Asia-Pacific: insurance, compliance and riskThis panel will explore the insurance landscape for superyachts operating in Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region, focusing on current challenges, market perceptions and the practical considerations facing owners, captains and managers.<ul><li>Martin Baum, Managing Director at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/314" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pantaenius (Company)">Pantaenius</a>&nbsp;</li><li>Zachary Bailey Principal at Indo Pacific Solutions</li><li>James Drysdale, Associate Director at Howden Sturge</li><li>Edward Majdalany, Founder &amp; CEO at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7869" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zairos (Company)">Zairos</a>&nbsp;</li><li>Alaettin Sevim, Compliance Officer at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7687" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="FEMA Marine (Company)">FEMA Marine</a></li></ul>11:15 - 12:00 - Coffee Break&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390761/image/large-fe86f4ed3a6e6141128737307e5f6f46.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390761">12:00 - 12:30 - Captain Christoph Schaefer on cruising in AsiaCaptain Christoph Schaefer of the 48.53-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/960" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Flyghtship Construction Ltd (Company)">Flyghtship Construction</a> superyacht<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1482" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="V648.53m (159'3&quot;)Flyghtship Construction Ltd2007">&nbsp;V6</a> will discuss his cruising experiences across the Asia-Pacific region, with particular focus on his time in Japan last year.<ul><li>Captain Christoph Schaefer, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1482" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="V648.53m (159'3&quot;)Flyghtship Construction Ltd2007">V6</a></li></ul><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390758/image/large-997b9f6d0597a30e09159fa9a1d69271.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390758">12:30 - 13:10 - The Pacific cruising corridor: Connecting Australia, New Zealand and the Islands This session will explore the potential for a more integrated Pacific cruising corridor between Australia, New Zealand and island destinations. It will assess the regulatory, operational and infrastructure barriers that currently fragment the region, and examine what changes would be needed to enable smoother cross-border cruising and longer itineraries.<ul><li>Justin Bourgeois, Captain of the 34.14-metre Derecktor sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2250" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kawil34.14m (112'0&quot;)Derecktor Shipyards2000">Kawil</a></li><li>Cameron Bray, Managing Director of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7294" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Superyacht People (Company)">The Superyacht People</a></li></ul>13:10 - 14:30 - Lunch<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392088/image/large-9e5b1647097ea7d03daf469ef10d905d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392088">14:30 - 15-15 - &nbsp;Inside Japanese business culture and UHNW trendsChiaki Nagato&nbsp;will draw on her experience as an entrepreneur operating across Japan and international markets to offer an insider perspective on how business is conducted in Japan.The discussion will explore the cultural dynamics that shape business relationships, as well as emerging trends among ultra-high-net-worth individuals in the country. It will also provide practical insight into how international businesses can navigate the Japanese market, from building trust to understanding local expectations and decision-making processes.<ul><li>Chiaki Nagato,&nbsp; Japanese entrepreneur</li></ul><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386889/image/large-b403243d51fafe27c94b8b9facc8db8f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386889">The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/325" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit - 2026 - 3rd Edition">Summit</a> has become an important meeting point for stakeholders and decision-makers across the Asia-Pacific yachting industry. Although Japan has not traditionally been regarded as a major yachting market, it is home to more than 21,000 ultra-high-net-worth individuals, highlighting its longer-term relevance within the global superyacht sector.By bringing together owners, operators and industry leaders, the event provides a forum to examine how markets such as Japan are evolving, and what is required for the region to support more consistent, year-round superyacht activity.15: 15 - 15:30 - Recap and final words from Merijn de Waard<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/384822/image/large-01a206f2bdb72f4c331b95cf173db8a6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/384822">

Topics and speakers announced for APSS 2026

SuperYacht Times has unveiled the preliminary topics for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit

Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit 2026 programme

In recent years, Japan has taken deliberate steps to improve cruising access for foreign-flagged superyachts and to expand marina infrastructure, raising its profile as a regional cruising destination.At the same time, the country is home to a significant concentration of private wealth. British investment migration consultancy Henley &amp; Partners estimates that Japan has approximately 748 centi-millionaires, defined as individuals with net assets of at least US$100 million.Yet despite these conditions, domestic yacht brokerage activity remains limited.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/298475/image/large-2bc1925828d3618f6130a044598154c3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/298475">Bubble-era expansion and its legacyJapan’s so-called bubble era refers to the late 1980s, when loose credit conditions and speculative investment fuelled a rapid surge in asset prices and consumer confidence. Real estate and equity valuations rose sharply before the boom collapsed in the early 1990s, triggering a prolonged period of economic adjustment.Japan experienced a period of substantive domestic yacht ownership during this time. Yukio Shintani, founder of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1132" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Creation Marine (Company)">Creation Marine</a>, recalls that “during the bubble period, domestically produced and imported boats of 25 to 50 feet saw explosive sales”, adding that many marinas were developed to support this growth. He also notes that corporate ownership expanded into larger vessels, with companies acquiring yachts in the 70 to 100-foot range, a scale of ownership that “had not been seen before”, often for “company entertainment and employee benefits” rather than private leisure use.When the bubble burst, the market shifted abruptly. Shintani recounts that a lot of boats for sale appeared on the market, with a significant number subsequently exported to destinations including Russia, South Korea and New Zealand. Domestic demand weakened in parallel, although resale activity persisted as brokers adjusted to the new conditions. “Many used boats came on the market at lower prices,” Shintani explained, allowing transactions to continue at more accessible price points even as new purchases slowed.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/306440/image/large-7dc86989e23fe9887e3eae0a94c0c8d4.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/306440">The experience of that period continues to influence attitudes within Japan’s domestic brokerage market. Nigel Beatty, founder of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1317" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yachtzoo (Company)">Yachtzoo Japan</a>, observes that buyers now in their sixties and seventies retain a direct memory of the period and its aftermath. “That experience still influences how they think about risk and conspicuous ownership today”. Rather than being shaped by aspiration alone, buying behaviour among this cohort remains informed by caution rooted in first-hand experience of the bubble-era collapse.How Japan’s brokerage model differsJapan’s yacht brokerage market has developed along a structurally distinct path from the broker-led systems common in Europe and the United States. This divergence reflects not an absence of brokerage activity, but a different commercial architecture shaped by long-standing business norms and relationship-driven practices.According to Shintani, yacht transactions in Japan are typically handled by sales companies rather than independent brokers acting on behalf of both buyer and seller. “In Japan, the sales company negotiates directly with the buyer,” he said. While some vessels are sold on consignment, Shintani notes that “the buyer does not know how much the seller will sell them for to the dealer”, illustrating a pricing structure that contrasts with the commission-based arrangements more typical in Western markets.A common feature of the Japanese model is that dealers purchase vessels outright, service them, and later resell them, assuming inventory risk while bundling maintenance, support and after-sales services into the transaction. Emphasis is placed on continuity and operational oversight rather than transaction volume, reflecting a market shaped by caution following the bubble-era collapse instead of short-term resale dynamics.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386827/image/large-7d1fe94087b6643f09cd2327b719f158.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386827">Beatty stresses that Western-style brokerage structures can operate in Japan, particularly as regulatory reform for larger yachts progresses. The prevailing preference, however, remains the dealership model because it aligns more closely with domestic business culture. “It works in Japan where long-standing relationships are built over generations,” he said.Foreign firms that attempt to replicate Western brokerage practices without adaptation have historically struggled to gain traction. “Many firms try to do business in Japan in a Western way, and this usually doesn’t work,” Beatty noted. In his view, localisation is not optional but fundamental. Companies that fail to adapt to Japanese commercial norms are unlikely to establish durable market positions.To place this in perspective, Beatty points out that Japan has one of the largest fleets of recreational vessels in South and East Asia, alongside a well-developed domestic used yacht market supported by its own listing systems. The distinction, he argues, lies less in the presence of buying and selling activity than in how that activity is structured and conducted. Rather than converging towards Western brokerage models, Japan’s market has evolved in a manner consistent with its wider business environment.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386825/image/large-217c26f8ba05559616786d2d3cd665fe.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386825">Constraints shaping today’s brokerage environmentJapan’s yacht brokerage market continues to be shaped by a combination of infrastructural, and cultural constraints that limit both scale and participation.&nbsp;Infrastructure remains one of the most immediate practical constraints. Shintani observes that “marinas in urban areas are full, leaving new buyers with no mooring space”, particularly for yachts over 50 feet. Robin Shellcock, formerly a yacht captain and now a broker at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1317" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yachtzoo (Company)">Yachtzoo Japan</a>, points to Yokohama Bay Marina as an example, describing a waiting list of around 20 applicants where nobody’s given up a spot. He adds that one owner even chartered a 70-foot yacht “just to shove it in his berth” in order to retain the space while his own vessel was away for refit.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386823/image/large-502d9119d1f326f69b22421adc6e56ae.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386823">Beyond berth availability, marina capability also influences ownership decisions. Drawing on his experience captaining larger yachts, Shellcock notes that adequate shore power remains scarce. When captaining the 35.2-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunseeker (Company)">Sunseeker</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9290" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Skye35.2m (115'6&quot;)Sunseeker2022">Skye</a>, which required 400-volt, three-phase shore power, that specification was available at only two marinas in Japan. Such limitations influence acquisition decisions, as owners may struggle to base larger yachts domestically with confidence.As vessel size increases, regulatory and crewing requirements become more restrictive. Shintani notes that for Japanese-flagged superyachts, crew availability presents a significant barrier, as “there are no crew members with Japanese seaman’s licences who can handle or service them”, while “foreign licences held by foreigners are not valid”. Beatty highlights the 24-metre threshold as a further constraint. Once a yacht exceeds that length under the Japanese flag, he explains, “you have to be fully commercial to the Japanese standards”, introducing additional cost and administrative requirements even where the yacht is intended for private use.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386824/image/large-b275375a529b41f215399e6dbc45c606.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386824">Ownership patterns reflect these combined pressures. Beatty notes that while some Japanese owners do operate larger yachts, these vessels are often based overseas and therefore sit outside the domestic brokerage ecosystem. Within Japan itself, ownership has “traditionally been under 24-metres”, reflecting the influence of infrastructure limits and operating considerations.Financial factors further constrain activity. Shintani points to the weak yen as a continuing challenge, explaining that it “makes it difficult to import boats, both new and used, from overseas”. Rising shipping costs have compounded this effect, inflating acquisition expenses and disproportionately affecting larger yachts, where margins, logistics and operational complexity are already higher.Cultural considerations also continue to shape demand. Kirk Patterson of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8701" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Konpira Yacht Services (Company)">Konipra Yacht Services</a> argues that the limited number of Japanese yacht owners reflects deeper social dynamics rather than a lack of wealth. While ownership is “not zero”, he notes that there are “very few Japanese yacht owners, especially superyachts”, pointing to the limited development of a broad leisure-boating culture. Discretion plays a role, he suggests, with discretionary wealth often directed towards alternatives such as second homes, and extended cruising lifestyles less compatible with prevailing professional and social norms. As a result, where interest exists, ownership is frequently discreet or outward-facing rather than anchored within Japan’s domestic brokerage market.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386826/image/large-db729ab1f95e3d92ac67cb6a552f6813.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386826">Prospects for changeAfter decades shaped by contraction and caution, any discussion of change within Japan’s yacht brokerage market must be framed carefully. Recent regulatory adjustments and infrastructure investment have improved access for visiting yachts, but whether these developments can meaningfully influence domestic ownership remains uncertain. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/104219/image/large-c94403a78cad4fa52830c3e4d2898030.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/104219">Prospects for growth are therefore less about sudden expansion than about gradual shifts in demographics, demand profiles and participation, with any change likely to be uneven and incremental rather than transformative.Shintani points first to the ageing profile of Japan’s existing owner base. “The average age of today’s largest group of boat owners is over 70 years old,” he said, adding that over the next “three to five years” many are likely to exit the market. Whether this translates into renewed demand will depend on the extent to which a younger generation can be engaged. In Shintani’s view, this requires more than transactional reform. “I believe we need to convey more about the wonders of marine life to the younger generation,” he said, pointing to the need for “places where children can experience marine activities up close”. Despite the market’s long-standing constraints, he maintains that “surrounded by the sea, Japan still has many opportunities” to foster broader engagement with boating over time.Beatty also sees evidence that generational attitudes are beginning to shift. Younger buyers, he argues, show a greater appetite for larger yachts than their predecessors. “Probably the past 15 years or so,” he said, noting that these buyers “don’t really identify with that bubble time”. Unlike earlier cohorts shaped by the excesses and subsequent collapse of the late 1980s, Beatty describes younger owners as “more adventurous” and less constrained by that historical legacy. Ownership, he suggests, often develops incrementally. “There’s guys with 70, 80-foot yachts that are in their 30s right now,” he said. “By the time they’re 50, they’re running some substantial size yachts.” As ambition grows, however, the limiting factor increasingly becomes whether larger yachts can be operated and based in Japan at all, given regulatory thresholds, crewing requirements and marina limitations.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/377575/image/large-1667448dcb7e90b7b10ce7b101b65997.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/377575">An additional dimension is emerging through foreign demand. Angel Zhou, President of Asia at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a>, suggests that non-Japanese buyers may play a growing role in shaping Japan’s brokerage activity. Chinese buyers, she says, are likely to represent “an important share of the Japanese superyacht market in the coming years”, particularly as more high-net-worth individuals choose to reside in the country.&nbsp;That potential, however, remains constrained by structural frictions. Zhou points in particular to the withdrawal of domestic yacht finance providers, which has limited access to mortgage products and slowed the conversion of interest into completed transactions. Were finance providers to re-enter the market, especially for yachts in the 20 to 40-metre range, she argues that it “would significantly accelerate market expansion” by broadening access to ownership.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386863/image/large-58c4ccbfb716dce2b59f06ad26c0f064.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386863">Japan’s brokerage market is unlikely to expand rapidly, but nor is it static. Demographic turnover, shifting generational attitudes and growing foreign participation may widen activity incrementally, even as structural constraints continue to cap overall scale. Its trajectory is therefore more likely to reflect gradual recalibration on its own terms, shaped as much by social norms and operating realities as by regulatory reform.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386528/image/large-ac18974277bb47126ecdd41da712a4c7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386528">Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit 2026Following two successful editions in Hong Kong, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/events/asia-pacific-superyacht-summit-2026-3rd-edition" target="_blank">Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit</a> will move to Japan in 2026. The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/events/asia-pacific-superyacht-summit-2026-3rd-edition" target="_blank">event</a> will take place on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 May in Kobe, hosted at Hotel La Suite Kobe Oceans Garden.As Japan continues to open its market to international superyacht traffic and expand its marina and service infrastructure, the summit will examine how the country is positioning itself within the wider Asia-Pacific yachting landscape. Discussions will also address broader regulatory, operational and investment trends shaping the region.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/370697/image/large-af880a3d9740bec86f3b197c0c5e9fa1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/370697">The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/events/asia-pacific-superyacht-summit-2026-3rd-edition" target="_blank">Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit</a> serves as a dedicated forum for analysing market developments and facilitating dialogue among leading stakeholders from across the superyacht industry.Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/asia-pacific-superyacht-summit-2026-topics-announced" target="_blank">Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit 2026 expands programme with new speakers</a>Early Bird tickets are available <a href="https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/asia-pacific-superyacht-summit-2026-tickets-1979724982716?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank">here</a>.

What is shaping Japan’s yacht brokerage market?

Analysis of Japan’s yacht brokerage market, examining structural divergence, generational change and limits shaping future growth.