SOZONEXT Launches New Brand “AKATSUKI” in Partnership with Alibaba Group’s “Fliggy” and Its Private Lodging Platform “Xiaozhu” to Expand High-Quality Property Management in the Japanese Market
SOZONEXT Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Changhe Shen) has entered into a strategic partnership with “Xiaozhu,” a leading private lodging platform under Alibaba Group’s OTA “Fliggy,” to launch a new property management service brand named “AKATSUKI.”
Through this partnership, SOZONEXT aims to enhance operational efficiency and expand the scale of property management for both domestic and international investors by leveraging its proprietary “STARRY” package, which utilizes digital transformation (DX) and IoT technology solutions. The focus will be on highlighting the growth potential of real estate in Japan’s tourist destinations and urban areas, thereby enhancing the appeal to investors.
(Left) Changhe Shen, President & CEO of SOZONEXT Co., Ltd. (Right) Wang Liantao, CEO of Xiaozhu
The Japanese Lodging Property Investment and Management Market and SOZONEXT’s Growth Strategy: Efforts to Capture the Demand from Inbound Tourists
In recent years, Japan’s real estate investment market has been thriving, particularly attracting attention for high-yield properties such as hotels and private lodgings. With the increase in inbound tourists, the domestic demand for lodging facilities is rapidly rising, drawing significant interest from overseas investors as well.
SOZONEXT is responding to this vibrant real estate market growth by capturing the demand from inbound tourists and promoting the expansion of high-quality property management operations. In addition to providing efficient and scalable lodging management services, SOZONEXT is leveraging this strategic partnership to utilize regional tourism resources, thereby contributing to local revitalization.
Changhe Shen, President & CEO of SOZONEXT, stated, “This strategic partnership is a crucial step for SOZONEXT’s growth in the Japanese market. By leveraging Xiaozhu’s strong customer acquisition capabilities and extensive user base, and integrating it with our digital solution ‘STARRY’ and advanced operational services, we aim to offer new value to property owners and investors in Japan. Furthermore, we aim to provide more comfortable and attractive stays for inbound tourists.”
Global Expansion of Xiaozhu
Xiaozhu, under Alibaba Group’s OTA “Fliggy,” is one of China’s largest private lodging platforms with a global reach. With over 50 million active users, Xiaozhu operates more than 800,000 properties across 710 cities worldwide, including a proactive expansion into the Japanese market.
Wang Liantao, CEO of Xiaozhu, stated, “Through our strategic partnership with SOZONEXT, we aim to further enhance the management of lodging facilities in the Japanese market, providing comfortable and safe lodging experiences for inbound tourists while strengthening operational support for property owners. By combining the strengths of both companies, we aim to increase our presence in the Japanese market and contribute to the revitalization of the local economy.”
SOZONEXT’s Technical Strengths and Future Development
SOZONEXT leverages its proprietary unmanned/low-staffing package solution for lodging facilities, “STARRY,” to offer innovative technologies utilizing DX and IoT, such as smart locks and sensor-based energy management. “STARRY” enables remote property management and optimization based on data analysis, significantly improving operational efficiency. This enhances property management efficiency and reduces management costs, advancing collaborations with various partners, including major clients. By introducing the latest technologies to regional lodging facilities, SOZONEXT contributes to local economic revitalization.
In addition to supporting system construction and operation in diverse sectors such as finance, distribution, and manufacturing, SOZONEXT applies its robust technical foundation to innovate in lodging facility management. With the launch of “AKATSUKI,” SOZONEXT will manage a variety of lodging facilities, offering comfortable and safe lodging experiences for inbound tourists. Moving forward, SOZONEXT aims to expand high-quality property management for investors both domestically and internationally, seeking further growth.
About Xiaozhu
- Company Name: Kuaipao Technology Co., Ltd.
- Headquarters: Beijing, China
- Founded: July 2012
- CEO: Wang Liantao
- Number of Employees: Over 400
- Business Activities: Operation and development of a private lodging platform
About SOZONEXT
SOZONEXT is a company that integrates IT technology, cultivated through extensive system development experience, into various real estate solutions under the service name “STARRY.” The company provides comprehensive property management solutions including attracting customers and marketing support both domestically and internationally, customer service in both online and offline channels, development of IoT devices for unmanned management, real estate transactions, and finance support.
- Company Name: SOZONEXT Co., Ltd.
- https://www.sozonext.com/
- Headquarters: 9f Ueno KOA Bldg, 2-6-4 Motoasakusa, Taito-Ku, Tokyo, 111-0041 Japan
- TEL: +81-3-3842-1552
- E-mail: info@sozonext.com
