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From Sacramento to Japan: A Family's Investment Journey

1/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Patty Chan's 55-year connection with Japan began after a high school trip, shaping her later plans.
She and Tom Chan settled in Sacramento, raising two daughters while managing jobs and rental properties.
Last year they sought overseas investment, aided by Chan's Tokyo nephew who started a real estate firm for foreign buyers.
In Georgia's Pankisi Valley, initiatives backed by foreign aid aim to boost tourism and entrepreneurship.

History

Historical Context

Japan's economic bubble, fueled by low-interest rates and speculative investments, peaked in 1989 when the Nikkei stock index reached nearly 39,000. The bubble burst in 1991, leading to a prolonged economic stagnation known as the "Lost Decade." This shift prompted many Japanese, including Patty Chan's family, to seek overseas investment opportunities, reshaping personal finance and impacting local economies like Georgia's Pankisi Valley.

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Story summary

Patty Chan's 55-year connection with Japan began after a high school trip, shaping her later plans.
She and Tom Chan settled in Sacramento, raising two daughters while managing jobs and rental properties.
Last year they sought overseas investment, aided by Chan's Tokyo nephew who started a real estate firm for foreign buyers.
In Georgia's Pankisi Valley, initiatives backed by foreign aid aim to boost tourism and entrepreneurship.

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