NIR

What NIR does

NIR (株式会社日本インベストメント・リサーチ / Nihon Investment Research Ltd.) is a Tokyo-based, privately held financial advisory firm established June 11, 1999, and operating as a 100% subsidiary of Dai-Ni Kaientai Co., Ltd. The firm is registered with the Kanto Finance Bureau as a Financial Instruments Business Operator (Registration No. 926). Its core business is a tiered, membership-based advisory model organized around four clubs — Platinum Club (USD 1M+ minimum investable capacity, JPY 990K annual fee), Royal Asset Club (JPY 10M+ minimum, JPY 220K annual), Self-Pension Club (JPY 4M+ minimum, JPY 108K annual), and the Japan-US Growth Stock Investment Club (launched April 2018) — supplemented by the Strategic Survival Research Group 21, monthly fund reports, the parent's Economic Trend Report (33 issues/year), and overseas financial inspection tours to Hawaii and New Zealand.

The company's differentiation rests on information and advisory access to overseas hedge funds (notably AT Fund, QE Fund, and AC Fund) that are not registered for sale in Japan and therefore unavailable through domestic banks and brokerages, paired with a bundled multi-disciplinary advisory bench of certified financial planners, international tax specialists (Furuhashi, Koike CPA), attorneys (Nakasone, Suga), real estate consultants (Heart Property Partners), and inheritance/insurance advisors. Its go-to-market is direct, relationship-led: in-person consultations at the Chiyoda-ku headquarters, phone/email/post/FAX advisory, and a recurring seminar and lecture circuit across Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya, Sapporo, and Fukuoka featuring CEO Takashi Asai and external experts (including former Finance Ministry Vice-Minister Yano Yasuharu). Pricing is publicly disclosed and tiered by member investable capacity and cross-club affiliations.

The business model is recurring subscription revenue from club memberships, plus transaction fees from seminars, lecture recordings, and overseas tours. Headcount is 1-10, registered capital is JPY 20 million, and there are no disclosed funding rounds, M&A, or institutional investors. The company explicitly frames its value proposition around asset preservation against Japanese national bankruptcy, currency collapse, and public pension sustainability, positioning international diversification as the primary solution.

Name

NIR

Legal name

株式会社日本インベストメント・リサーチ

Website

https://nihoninvest.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NIR is a Tokyo-based membership financial advisory firm, founded 1999, that provides Japanese high-net-worth investors with information and advice on overseas hedge funds not registered for sale in Japan, via tiered clubs (Platinum, Royal Asset, Self-Pension, Japan-US Growth Stock) supplemented by seminars and overseas tours.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Investment Advisory Services

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Client/High-Net-Worth Advisory (FSAEAAAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Advisory Portfolio Management (Non-Discretionary) (FSAAABAD), Investment Management Advisory (RIA) (FSAEAAAB)

Keywords

• Investment advisory services
• Membership wealth management
• Overseas fund consulting
• Asset preservation advisory
• Financial planning club

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Platinum Club Membership: Premium membership tier targeting ultra-high-net-worth individuals with minimum investment capacity of USD 1,000,000. Provides exclusive access to top-tier international hedge fund information, comprehensive financial advisory services including life insurance review, real estate consultation, and original research reports.
2. Royal Asset Club Membership: Mid-tier membership for investors with JPY 10,000,000+ investable assets. Offers overseas fund information, analysis of existing holdings, and comprehensive asset management advisory services.
3. Self-Pension Club Membership: Entry-level membership for investors with JPY 4,000,000+ investable assets, focused on creating alternative retirement income through stable, smaller-scale overseas funds.
4. Japan-US Growth Stock Investment Club: Stock investment club launched April 2018, combining global economic perspectives with Japanese and US stock recommendations. Membership fees vary by category ranging from JPY 222,000-345,000 enrollment and JPY 592,000-789,000 annual fees.
5. Seminar and Lecture Fees: Revenue from hosting public lectures and seminars featuring CEO Takashi Asai and guest speakers. Pricing varies by membership tier from JPY 6,000 to JPY 12,000 per session. CD/DVD recordings of lectures are also sold.
6. Overseas Tour Programs: International financial inspection tours to destinations like New Zealand (JPY 980,000-1,280,000) and Hawaii (JPY 798,000) combining financial education with travel experiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NIR operates a membership-based financial advisory organization offering tiered investment clubs (Platinum Club, Royal Asset Club, Self-Pension Club, Japan-US Growth Stock Investment Club) that provide Japanese individual investors with information and advisory services on overseas hedge funds, international tax planning, life insurance review, real estate consultation, and asset preservation strategies. Services are delivered through dedicated financial planners via phone, email, mail, FAX, and in-person consultations, supplemented by seminars, lectures, and overseas financial inspection tours.

Product overview

Nihon Investment Research operates as a membership-based financial advisory organization offering a tiered portfolio of investment clubs and advisory services. The core offering consists of four membership tiers (Platinum Club, Royal Asset Club, Personal Pension Club, and Japan-US Growth Stock Investment Club) which provide fund information, investment analysis, and financial advisory services. Supporting services include original reports, the Economic Trend Report, and the Monthly Fund Report. The company also organizes seminars, lectures, and overseas tours as value-added services. All offerings are centered around providing overseas fund information and asset preservation strategies for Japanese investors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Platinum Club (プラチナクラブ) Premium-tier investment club targeting ultra-high-net-worth individuals with a minimum investment capacity of USD 1,000,000. Members receive exclusive information on world-class hedge funds (AT Fund, QE Fund, AC Fund), comprehensive financial advisory services including life insurance review, real estate consultation, and original research reports.
• Royal Asset Club (ロイヤル資産クラブ) Mid-tier membership club for investors with JPY 10,000,000 or more in investable assets. Offers overseas fund information, analysis of existing holdings, comprehensive asset allocation advice, and access to Platinum/Royal-tier fund information.
• Self-Pension Club (自分年金クラブ) Entry-tier membership for investors with JPY 4,000,000+ in investable assets, focused on creating alternative retirement income through stable, smaller-scale overseas funds as a supplement or alternative to Japan's public pension system.
• Japan-US Growth Stock Investment Club (日米成長株投資クラブ) Stock investment club providing Japanese and US stock recommendations combining macro economic perspectives with fundamental analysis. Membership fees vary by category from JPY 222,000-345,000 enrollment and JPY 592,000-789,000 annual fees.
• Strategic Survival Study Group 21 (戦略サバイバル研究会21) Quarterly study group offering members survival strategies during economic crises, with meetings featuring guest lectures from economists and analysts, and practical guidance on asset protection during national bankruptcy scenarios.
• Public Lectures and Special Seminars (Asai Takashi Special Lectures) Regularly held public lectures in major Japanese cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Fukuoka) by CEO Takashi Asai on economic outlook, asset protection, and investment strategy. Pricing varies from JPY 6,000 to JPY 12,000 per session depending on membership tier.
• Overseas Financial Inspection Tours (Hawaii, New Zealand) International financial inspection tours combining financial education with travel to destinations such as Hawaii (JPY 798,000) and New Zealand (JPY 980,000-1,280,000). Tours include local financial lectures, bank inspections, and tax planning sessions.
• Economic Trend Report (経済トレンドレポート) Report published 33 times per year by affiliate company Dai-Ni Kaientai covering economic trends. Available for free subscription to club members and also sold separately to non-members.

Quantifiable outcome

• AT Fund has never had a negative monthly return since inception in 2014, with 5-7% annual returns even during COVID-19 market shock
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered parent company, supporting partner, key advisor and supporting advisor.

• Dai-Ni Kaientai Co., Ltd. (株式会社第二海援隊)parent companyStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company of NIR, 100% shareholder. Provides economic trend reports (33 issues annually), seminar venues, and collaborative services. Shared leadership under CEO Takashi Asai. Located at same address in Tokyo.
• Shinya Diamond Club (シンワダイヤモンド倶楽部)supporting partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond expert partner providing asset protection through diamonds education and purchasing support for NIR club members. Expert Masaru Baba provides lectures on diamond basics, investment benefits, purchasing process, liquidation methods, GIA diamonds, inheritance, and synthetic diamonds.
• Furuhashi & Associates / Furuhashi Takayuki Tax Accountant Office (古橋＆アソシエイツ・古橋隆之税理士事務所)key advisorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational tax specialist providing tax advisory services to NIR members. Specializes in global tax planning for high-net-worth individuals and corporations. Fluent in international tax matters with overseas network.
• Koike Certified Public Accountant Office (小池公認会計士事務所)key advisorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTax advisor providing latest Japanese tax reduction strategies and inheritance planning. Led sessions during overseas tours (e.g., New Zealand 2023). Over 35 years of experience since establishing office in Showa 60.
• Nakasone Law Office / Negishi Hideo (名越秀夫律师事务所)supporting advisorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAttorney and patent attorney providing legal and risk management advisory services to NIR club members.
• Suga Law Office / Suga Kazuharu (須賀一晴律师事务所)supporting advisorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAttorney providing legal advisory services to NIR club members.
• Heart Property Partners Co., Ltd. (株式会社ハート財産パートナーズ)supporting advisorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerReal estate consultant Hiroaki Hayashi provides real estate advisory services including property utilization, inheritance planning, and tax reduction strategies.
• Nakamura Chizuka - NPO Inheritance Advisor Council Certified Membersupporting advisorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInheritance and gift planning advisor, administrative scrivener, and care welfare specialist providing succession and gift tax planning services.
• Hosoiri Toru - SME Consultant / Corporate Pension Consultant / Level 1 DC Plannersupporting advisorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInsurance advisor providing analysis and recommendations for life insurance optimization. Has helped clients reduce annual insurance costs by millions of yen through proper review.
• CRS (Common Reporting Standard) Networksupporting partnerOthersCRS is an information exchange system between governments for financial account information. The US non-participation in CRS creates unique opportunities for Japanese investors seeking offshore financial options. NIR educates members about CRS implications through Hawaii tours.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Financial Standard (Kinyu Hyojun): Japanese independent RIA platform providing fee-only investment advisory to Japanese individuals, including HNW clients seeking portfolio diversification. Comparable as an independent Japanese investment advisory serving HNW segment, but uses fee-only AUM model versus NIR's membership subscription structure.
• Money Design: Japanese digital wealth management firm operating the THEO and Mirai platforms, offering global ETF-based portfolios to Japanese retail investors. Targets similar investor concerns about yen depreciation and domestic market limitations but with lower fees and digital onboarding rather than club membership.
• WealthNavi: Japan's leading robo-advisor serving retail and emerging HNW investors with automated global portfolio allocation. Competes with NIR for Japanese mass-affluent and HNW investors seeking diversified overseas exposure, but uses a fully digital model versus NIR's membership-plus-FP approach.

Broad incumbents

• SBI Wealth Management: Japanese wealth management subsidiary of SBI Holdings offering advisory services across investment trusts, securities, and overseas funds to HNW individuals. Competes for the same Japanese HNW customer segment with broader institutional infrastructure and a digital-led service model.
• Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Private Banking: Private banking division of one of Japan's largest trust banks, providing HNW/UHNW individuals with investment advisory, trust services, real estate, and inheritance planning. Represents the integrated Japanese financial conglomerate alternative to NIR's cross-discipline advisor network model.
• Monex Group: Japanese online broker and wealth advisory group serving active investors with domestic and international securities trading plus advisory services. Overlaps with NIR's Japan-US Growth Stock Investment Club offering and shares target customer profile of affluent Japanese investors interested in overseas markets.
• Daiwa Asset Management: Japanese asset management arm of Daiwa Securities Group managing domestic and international investment trusts for retail and institutional investors. Provides the incumbent Japanese incumbent alternative for investors seeking global fund exposure through regulated Japanese-registered products rather than direct overseas fund subscription.
• Nomura Private Wealth Management: Private banking and wealth advisory arm of Japan's largest securities firm, serving UHNW individuals with portfolio management, estate planning, and overseas investment advisory. Provides the institutional alternative to NIR's Platinum Club, offering regulated Japanese securities firm credibility versus NIR's boutique positioning.

Regional players

• Pictet Asset Management Japan: Japan office of Swiss private bank Pictet Group, offering wealth management and asset management services to Japanese HNW clients interested in international funds. Comparable in serving overseas-fund-focused Japanese HNW investors, but as a regional extension of a global private bank rather than a Japan-domiciled boutique.
• UBS Wealth Management Japan: Japan wealth management operation of global UHNW bank UBS, serving Japanese HNW individuals with international investment advisory, cross-border planning, and alternative investments. Competes directly for Japanese UHNW clients interested in global hedge funds, but as a global bank subsidiary versus NIR's Japanese advisory boutique.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NIR