Visualizing World-Standard Real Estate Agents: Agent Connect Begins Registration and Search for "GREC Certified Qualifications"
Agent Connect Inc., based on its business alliance with the Global Real Estate College (GREC) in January 2026, has launched the operation of new GREC-certified agent qualifications starting in April. This introduction will make it easier for users to select agents with global standard knowledge and high ethical values.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 21:17 (10h 46m after Collected)
Agent Connect Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kosuke Tomiya; hereinafter "Agent Connect"), which operates a comparison information site for real estate agents, has commenced the operation of new GREC-certified agent qualifications from April, based on its business alliance with the Global Real Estate College (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "GREC") in January 2026. The introduction of these qualifications will make it easier for users to select agents with global standard knowledge and high ethical values.
Background of this Release
Since the alliance in January, both companies have repeatedly discussed "increasing transparency in the Japanese real estate market" and "improving agent professionalism."
Currently, in the Japanese real estate market, due to increasing inbound demand and overseas investment, there are more cases that cannot be handled with domestic knowledge alone. However, there are very few objective indicators for consumers to judge the "quality" of an agent. Therefore, Agent Connect will build a system where truly reliable professionals are properly evaluated by incorporating highly specialized qualifications certified by GREC into the evaluation criteria on its platform.
What is GREC (Global Real Estate College)?
GREC (Global Real Estate College) is an educational institution affiliated with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) as the educational division of the Japan-America Real Estate Cooperation Organization (JARECO).
World-standard education: Not limited to acquiring knowledge, it provides education centered on "high ethical values as an agent" and "maximizing client benefits," which are common in Western countries.
Certification of expertise: It systematizes practical schemes applicable globally, such as overseas real estate transactions, inbound support, and investment analysis, and provides qualification certification.
Community formation: It operates a community where like-minded agents gather, aiming to raise the overall level of the industry.
Why Agent Connect Participated in GREC
The background to Agent Connect deepening its alliance with GREC lies in the strong conviction of its representative, Tomiya.
Tomiya himself experienced significant damage in real estate investment in the past (the "Kabocha no Basha" incident). The root cause of this was "information asymmetry" and "lack of agent ethics."
"If I had met an agent with correct knowledge and ethical values, a tragedy could have been prevented."
With this in mind, Agent Connect aims to be a platform that provides "proof of trust," not just a matching site. GREC's long-cultivated "world-standard education and ethics" are an indispensable piece for Agent Connect to realize its ideal of "transparent real estate transactions," and this participation is considered an inevitable choice for restoring trust in the Japanese real estate industry.
Overview of the "New Qualifications" Launched in April
■ NAR Certified CIPS "Certified International Property Specialist" Qualification
(Certified International Property Specialist)
The CIPS qualification is an international real estate qualification developed by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) in over 50 countries worldwide. It systematically teaches understanding of the characteristics of each country's market, cross-border transactions, and cultural and business practices, acquiring knowledge to handle international real estate business. After acquisition, one can build a network with real estate professionals in various countries as an NAR international member, making it a practical qualification that can lead to acquiring and expanding overseas projects.
■ NAR Certified ABR Qualification (Accredited Buyer’s Representative)
ABR is a qualification specializing in supporting real estate buyers. It systematically teaches the process from understanding client needs to property proposals, negotiations, and contracts, strengthening practical skills as an agent who maximizes client benefits. It also allows for acquiring the latest market trends and marketing methods, and after acquisition, it is a qualification that can lead to expanding referral opportunities by utilizing the NAR network.
■ Global Real Estate Investment Consultant Qualification (GREIC)
This qualification systematically teaches tax, legal, and market analysis related to international real estate investment in the US, Asia, Australia, etc., and trains personnel who can provide consulting to investors at a practical level. It enables understanding of each country's systems and risk analysis capabilities, allowing for cross-border investment proposals. It is a practical qualification for acquiring practical skills in the international real estate investment domain.
■ U.S. Real Estate Investment Master Qualification (US-REIM)
The U.S. Real Estate Investment Master Qualification is a certification that teaches the basics of U.S. real estate investment. City
Background of this Release
Since the alliance in January, both companies have repeatedly discussed "increasing transparency in the Japanese real estate market" and "improving agent professionalism."
Currently, in the Japanese real estate market, due to increasing inbound demand and overseas investment, there are more cases that cannot be handled with domestic knowledge alone. However, there are very few objective indicators for consumers to judge the "quality" of an agent. Therefore, Agent Connect will build a system where truly reliable professionals are properly evaluated by incorporating highly specialized qualifications certified by GREC into the evaluation criteria on its platform.
What is GREC (Global Real Estate College)?
GREC (Global Real Estate College) is an educational institution affiliated with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) as the educational division of the Japan-America Real Estate Cooperation Organization (JARECO).
World-standard education: Not limited to acquiring knowledge, it provides education centered on "high ethical values as an agent" and "maximizing client benefits," which are common in Western countries.
Certification of expertise: It systematizes practical schemes applicable globally, such as overseas real estate transactions, inbound support, and investment analysis, and provides qualification certification.
Community formation: It operates a community where like-minded agents gather, aiming to raise the overall level of the industry.
Why Agent Connect Participated in GREC
The background to Agent Connect deepening its alliance with GREC lies in the strong conviction of its representative, Tomiya.
Tomiya himself experienced significant damage in real estate investment in the past (the "Kabocha no Basha" incident). The root cause of this was "information asymmetry" and "lack of agent ethics."
"If I had met an agent with correct knowledge and ethical values, a tragedy could have been prevented."
With this in mind, Agent Connect aims to be a platform that provides "proof of trust," not just a matching site. GREC's long-cultivated "world-standard education and ethics" are an indispensable piece for Agent Connect to realize its ideal of "transparent real estate transactions," and this participation is considered an inevitable choice for restoring trust in the Japanese real estate industry.
Overview of the "New Qualifications" Launched in April
■ NAR Certified CIPS "Certified International Property Specialist" Qualification
(Certified International Property Specialist)
The CIPS qualification is an international real estate qualification developed by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) in over 50 countries worldwide. It systematically teaches understanding of the characteristics of each country's market, cross-border transactions, and cultural and business practices, acquiring knowledge to handle international real estate business. After acquisition, one can build a network with real estate professionals in various countries as an NAR international member, making it a practical qualification that can lead to acquiring and expanding overseas projects.
■ NAR Certified ABR Qualification (Accredited Buyer’s Representative)
ABR is a qualification specializing in supporting real estate buyers. It systematically teaches the process from understanding client needs to property proposals, negotiations, and contracts, strengthening practical skills as an agent who maximizes client benefits. It also allows for acquiring the latest market trends and marketing methods, and after acquisition, it is a qualification that can lead to expanding referral opportunities by utilizing the NAR network.
■ Global Real Estate Investment Consultant Qualification (GREIC)
This qualification systematically teaches tax, legal, and market analysis related to international real estate investment in the US, Asia, Australia, etc., and trains personnel who can provide consulting to investors at a practical level. It enables understanding of each country's systems and risk analysis capabilities, allowing for cross-border investment proposals. It is a practical qualification for acquiring practical skills in the international real estate investment domain.
■ U.S. Real Estate Investment Master Qualification (US-REIM)
The U.S. Real Estate Investment Master Qualification is a certification that teaches the basics of U.S. real estate investment. City