"Thinking for Yourself" — A Conversation with a Beginner-Friendly Investment Mentor
"Thinking for Yourself" — A Conversation with a Beginner-Friendly Investment Mentor
Introduction
Many of us move to Japan carrying more than luggage — we carry questions about life, work, and what comes next. Among them: How should I think about money in a new environment?
At Sunrise Brew Japan, we explore these everyday turning points with people who offer guidance, not pressure.
This week, we spoke with Mr Kei Hamada — a quietly inspiring mentor who brings a thoughtful, cross-disciplinary approach to helping individuals explore financial and lifestyle questions with clarity and care. In recent years, he has also begun supporting international residents in Japan, particularly in areas related to visa procedures, administrative documentation, and basic financial planning. His bilingual ability allows him to explain Japan’s often opaque legal and bureaucratic systems in ways that are much easier to understand. His approach is warm, clear, and grounded. No hype. Just a simple goal:
“Even market charts can tell a story” — Kei during a seminar session, where he helps clients navigate financial change with clarity and care.
“Even market charts can tell a story” — Kei during a seminar session, where he helps clients navigate financial change with clarity and care.
Q&A with Kei
Q1: For foreigners who want to live or stay in Japan — even just for a while — what kind of support can you offer?
Kei: Japan’s immigration and residency systems can be complex, and often hard to understand from the outside. I can support people with visa-related consultations, including working visas, long-term stay options, and even naturalization support in some cases. I also help with administrative documents, life planning questions, and connecting the dots between legal, financial, and personal concerns — in both English and Japanese.
Q2: Who usually comes to your sessions — and what kind of life situations are they in?
Kei: Most people are beginners — often women in their 30s to 50s, freelancers, or people going through a transition: moving, changing careers, or starting to think more seriously about the future. They’re not looking for quick wins. They’re just tired of feeling unsure about money, and want a place to begin.
Q3: What makes your seminar different from other financial sessions?
Kei: We don’t talk about products. It’s not a sales session. We talk about how money moves, what risk actually means, and how to approach investing with your own values in mind. It’s more like a life reflection session with financial tools in it.
Q4: What would you say to someone who feels nervous or "too late" to start learning about this?
Kei: That feeling is very common — and very human. But the truth is, it is never too late. We’ve had participants in their 60s and even 70s. The only “right time” is when you’re ready to take one small step for yourself. That’s enough.
How to Learn More
Kei’s upcoming free introductory sessions are held both online and in person. The sessions are casual, small-group, and conducted in clear, everyday Japanese. No pressure. No jargon. Just real conversation.
In addition to Japanese, Kei is also able to support English speakers. For international residents, this can be especially helpful not only in understanding financial basics, but also when navigating related paperwork, regulations, or unfamiliar systems in Japan.
If you’re curious to learn more or simply want to ask a few questions, Kei also offers free one-on-one consultations — in both Japanese and English. Feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll gladly help connect you.
Group sessions may also be held in the future, depending on interest.
Interested in learning more or attending a session?
Learn more about Kei’s work at The K Life Facilitation and his seminar programs here.
You’re welcome to contact us at hello@sunrisebrewjapan.com and we’ll be happy to connect you directly.
Note: This is part of Sunrise Brew Japan’s pilot editorial series. We are currently featuring people who bring care and clarity to life’s transitions — across cultures, professions, and generations.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and editorial purposes only. Sunrise Brew Japan does not provide investment advice or promote any specific financial products. For any financial decisions, please consult a licensed advisor.