Born in Manhattan, Kansas, John “Jack” Rhodes (aka Makoto Hyoto) relocated to Japan at age four, where his journey bridging Eastern and Western cultures began. Raised in Tokyo’s vibrant suburbs, Jack completed his entire K-12 education in the Japanese public school system, gaining native-level fluency in both Japanese and English. His formative years were enriched by extended stays at his ancestral home in Wyoming, USA – experiences that deepened his understanding of both cultures and later proved invaluable.

With nearly two decades of experience in real estate investment, Jack has established himself in the Japanese property market. His career trajectory began at the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Real Estate Finance team in Tokyo, where he honed his analytical skills in property valuation and market assessment. At Grosvenor Fund Management Japan Limited, he expanded his expertise in acquisitions, asset management, and investor reporting.

During his tenure at PGIM Real Estate in Tokyo, including a strategic two-year secondment to Hong Kong, Jack honed his deal-making abilities. He successfully orchestrated acquisitions across diverse property sectors—including office, residential, retail, logistics, and hospitality assets—with transactions exceeding ¥50 billion. This track record led to his founding of Real Venture in February 2019, where he continues to leverage his extensive network and market insights.

Jack holds a liberal arts degree in Chinese Studies and Mathematics from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. 

Jack holds a Japan national-level qualification as a Real Estate Notary (宅地建物取引士), a credential that underscores his deep understanding of Japanese real estate regulations and markets.