HISTORY / DOCUMENTED TIMELINE
The complete career story — from Wakayama to Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong and cross-border business.
This is not simply a list of job titles. It follows what Manabu Kotani learned in each period, how one experience led to the next, and how language, trade, real estate, management and IT gradually became one integrated professional practice.
Born in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. He grew up in a region surrounded by sea and mountains; in the long-form profile, this is presented as the starting point of a journey that would later lead from regional Japan to Tokyo and Shanghai.
Entered Tokyo University of Mercantile Marine. Studied navigation and international logistics, gaining a foundation for understanding how goods and people move across borders.
Studied at Shanghai Normal University. Beyond the Chinese language, he learned about Chinese society, everyday life, personal relationships and business customs through direct experience.
Worked for Japanese-affiliated companies. Through ship coatings, shipyards and logistics operations, he gained practical experience in quality, delivery schedules, organizations and negotiation.
Became independent and started his own business. Began an integrated operation for Japanese companies covering China sourcing, building materials, furniture, OEM, logistics and quality control.
Held numerous seminars on doing business in China, sharing practical knowledge with company executives on factory ordering, trade, quality control and local management.
Public profiles record teaching and lecture experience at institutions including Chukyo University, Peking University EMBA programs and Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance.
Expanded corporate exchange and international support activities centered on a general incorporated association. In the same year, he stood as a candidate in Fukuoka’s 2nd district in Japan’s 46th House of Representatives election.
Used Hong Kong as a base for international business. In Tokyo, expanded real-estate brokerage and property support for international clients.
Continued video and web publishing on Japanese real estate and international business, including content communicated in Chinese.
Developed a more integrated support model covering foreign companies entering Japan, human resources, education, housing, business locations and M&A.
Reorganized multiple specialist websites and business activities, developing a digital archive of the story of Manabu Kotani and approximately three decades of practical knowledge.
Timeline organized primarily from first-person and affiliated-organization public materials. Items that can be independently verified are distinguished on the Research page.