Kuala Lumpur Office
Message from our CEO and team introduction.
Our corporate group started in Penang in 1999 as a company supporting Japanese long stays and study abroad in Malaysia.
Message from the President
President & CEO
Shotaro Ishihara
Our corporate group started in Penang in 1999 as a company (local travel agency) supporting Japanese long stays and study abroad in Malaysia. We subsequently opened offices in Kuala Lumpur in 2006, and in Johor Bahru and Tokyo in 2012.
In 2003, we became the first Japanese company to be an authorized MM2H (Malaysia long-term stay visa) agency, and have since obtained MM2H visas for over 2,000 Japanese nationals. Regarding study abroad in Malaysia, drawing on my own experience of raising children locally, we have supported many Japanese families with their study abroad needs.
As pioneers in Malaysian real estate as well, we have been conveying its appeal since 2007. Initially, as information about Malaysian long stays, study abroad, and real estate was limited, we published “Japan’s No.1 Relocation Destination: Malaysia” (Chikuma Shobo) in Japan in 2011 to share information about long stays, study abroad, and real estate in Malaysia with Japanese readers.
Expansion of Services
To meet this demand, our company became an authorized agent for Tokio Marine Malaysia and Hong Leong Assurance from 2018, handling various insurance products. We also became securities agents for Malaysia’s largest mutual fund company, Public Mutual, to handle financial products.
Key Website Updates
① Enhanced Study Abroad Information
Added and updated information on popular study abroad topics
② Long-term Visa Information
Added Sarawak MM2H visa and Residence Pass information
③ New Asset Management & Tax Pages
Information on local asset management and taxation
④ New Company Establishment Page
Responding to increased business expansion inquiries
⑤ Latest Area Information
Latest information on KL, Penang, and Johor Bahru
⑥ Local Life Support
New pages introducing useful information and products
Through this website update, we hope to continue serving you in long stay, long-term visa acquisition, study abroad, local insurance, and asset management in Malaysia.
We have also updated our Japanese website covering all Malaysian real estate. Please refer to this site for the latest Malaysian real estate information and numerous property listings.
President & CEO: Shotaro Ishihara
President’s Biography
Shotaro Ishihara
Born in Gunma Prefecture, 1958. Graduated from Keio University and William & Mary Graduate School of Business (MBA) in the USA. After working as a manager at a securities company and venture capital firm in Japan, moved to Penang, Malaysia in 1992 to engage in golf course development and management.
In 1999, established Tropical Resort Lifestyle Sdn. Bhd. (travel company) to start supporting Japanese long stays and study abroad in Malaysia.
Key Career Highlights
- 2003 – Became the first Japanese company to be an authorized MM2H agency. Obtained over 2,000 MM2H visas by 2020
- 2007 – Started Malaysian real estate brokerage business
- 2009 – Joined Japan’s Apaman Shop network
- 2012 – Established Cosmos Plan Co., Ltd. and transferred real estate division
- 2002-2007 – Board member, Penang Japanese Association
- 2011 – Published “Japan’s No.1 Relocation Destination: Malaysia” (Chikuma Shobo)
- 2017 – First Japanese person to pass Malaysia’s national real estate agent examination
Speaking Engagements
Has given lectures on Malaysian long stays, study abroad, and real estate at seminars organized by Long Stay Foundation, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Asahi Shimbun, JTB, Kinki Nippon Tourist, NPO Study Abroad Association, Mitsui Fudosan Realty, Tokyu Livable, and others. Featured extensively in Japanese TV and magazines.
Years in Malaysia
Obtained Malaysian permanent residency in 1998. Married to a Malaysian woman and raised 5 children in Malaysia. Resident in Malaysia since 1992
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