The Expert for Expats - #MyGivingStory - Nozomi Oka

Nozomi Oka, a Tokyo native, has been helping expats seamlessly adapt to life in Japan for many years! Whether it is finding a place to live, setting up government accounts, or translation services, she has them covered from start to finish.

We at Giving Tuesday Japan had the exclusive opportunity to interview her about her experience working in the real estate industry, the services she offers to her clients, and her goals for the future.

Take a look at the My Giving Story interview between Nozomi and our Global Community Team Leader, Jasmine, below!

Jasmine: Hi, Nozomi! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions and share your journey thus far. Let's jump right in and get started. What is Skarlet Ltd.? Who is the founder?  

Nozomi: Skarlet Ltd. is a real estate agency specializing in factories and warehouses in the Greater Tokyo area. The company has been in business for over 25 years and was founded by Keiko Oka, who is also my mother.  

Jasmine: Interesting! What is the story behind the company’s name? Where does the name Skarlet come from?

Nozomi: The name "Skarlet" symbolizes a fire of passion. It was also inspired by the character Scarlett from Gone with the  Wind.  

Jasmine: How unique! So, what is Skarlet’s mission?  

Nozomi: Skarlet’s mission is to make clients smile. Many people face challenges with their property assets, such as tax or inheritance issues, and Skarlet aims to help resolve these problems with care and expertise. We hope clients will be glad they chose Skarlet in the end.  

Jasmine: What is your position within Skarlet?  

Nozomi: I serve as the dedicated English-speaking staff and the Managing Director of the “Expert for Expats” department.  

Jasmine: Skarlet seems to really value its staff and customers. This is evident in posts about cherry blossom viewing,  White Day, and tips for staying healthy in the summer. Is there a reason your company expresses appreciation so often and thoughtfully?  

Nozomi: Our goal is to make Skarlet feel approachable and familiar to our customers and business partners. The Japanese real estate industry is often seen as closed-off and opaque, making it hard for people to find reliable information or know whom to trust. In such an environment, we intentionally share glimpses of our daily lives to show that we are sincere,  trustworthy, and human.  

We also believe you can never express too much gratitude. We are deeply thankful to our customers—it’s thanks to them that we’re able to live and work in Tokyo. Posting regularly helps us stay grounded and never forget the importance of appreciation.  

Jasmine: Have you always wanted to work in real estate?  

Nozomi: No, I haven't. But I’ve always been aware that many foreigners in Japan struggle to find housing. That’s why I’ve started learning about the real estate industry—to better support them.  

Jasmine: You call yourself the "Expert for Expats," and your service is known as Expatriate Life Consultancy. What is  Expatriate Life Consultancy to those who don't know what that means?  

Nozomi: It’s a personalized support service designed to help expats live more comfortably in Japan. People face a wide variety of challenges depending on their circumstances, nationality, job, and family structure. We provide tailored solutions to meet each client’s unique needs.  

Jasmine: What types of services do you offer? What types of services would you like to add in the future? 

Nozomi: We offer personalized assistance to help expats handle everything from daily tasks to complex procedures. In the future, we hope to offer “one-stop accommodations” that combine office and living spaces for international business professionals.  

Jasmine: What areas are your services available in?  

Nozomi: Our services are available in Tokyo and the Greater Tokyo area.  

Jasmine: Are you only able to help English-speaking clients?  

Nozomi: Yes, at the moment our services are available in English only.  

Jasmine: What inspired you to create Expatriate Life Consultancy?  

Nozomi: While working as an executive assistant at a German company in Tokyo, I witnessed the many challenges non-Japanese speakers face in their daily lives. Although I did my best to support them within the company, there were often issues that went beyond my role. That experience inspired me to create a dedicated service that could provide the support they truly need.  

Jasmine: What is your personal mission?  

Nozomi: My mission is to create an environment where foreigners coming to Japan for work can live comfortably and focus on their careers without unnecessary stress.  

Jasmine: What is one of the challenges you faced while starting this company?  

Nozomi: Actually, Skarlet is my mother’s company, not mine. But as a Japanese businessperson supporting foreigners, one challenge is explaining Japan’s many unspoken rules and cultural expectations. Even for me, it can be hard to fully adapt to them—yet I have to help others understand and navigate these complexities.  

Jasmine: What has been one of the most rewarding aspects of your journey?  

Nozomi: I feel truly rewarded when clients express their gratitude or when other expats tell me how thoughtful and attentive my support has been.  

Jasmine: Have you heard of or participated in Giving Tuesday before coming to Women's Impact Weekend? Is there anything you would like to do in the future in collaboration with Giving Tuesday?  

Nozomi: I learned about Giving Tuesday for the first time when you reached out to me. I’d love to create a short, engaging video to share something catchy and meaningful about Japan in collaboration with Giving Tuesday.   

Jasmine: We will have to arrange that! Well, that is all the questions I have for now. Nozomi! Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring story with us! We can't wait to see what you do next!

Learn more about the Skarlet and Support for Expats here: https://www.skarlet.co.jp/

For Real Estate, check here: https://skarlet.jp/

Want to share your story? www.givingtuesday.jp/contacten