Turning vacant houses into investments: A young architect's journey to Japan

Lianhe Zaobao, 15 Dec 2024, 化空置房为投资屋 青年赴日圆建筑梦

(translated summary)

In 2017, while pursuing a master’s degree at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), 32-year-old Goh Jun Yang visited Inujima, a small island off the coast of Okayama, Japan, to study ways to revitalize rural areas. The island, with a population of fewer than 50, had been impacted by the migration of young people to cities like Tokyo, leaving many houses vacant.

After earning his master’s degree in architecture five years ago, Jun Yang moved to Japan to advance his career. He views architecture as a discipline that extends beyond buildings, incorporating urban planning and societal impact. Japan’s global prominence in architecture and engineering, underscored by nine Pritzker Architecture Prize laureates, offered Jun Yang the chance to broaden his perspective.

Recognising the importance of fluency in Japanese to succeed in the competitive architectural field, Jun Yang began learning the language during his National Service. After graduating from Officer Cadet School, he dedicated his evenings to Japanese classes for a year. Despite this preparation, achieving workplace fluency required additional effort once he joined a Japanese firm. Over time, he adapted and gained confidence, navigating the professional environment with ease.