Japanese Portal and Aggregator Operator Lifull to Set Up Second Overseas Tech Hub in Malaysia

The Japanese real estate marketplace operator Lifull is set to establish its second overseas development base in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The move follows the 2017 launch of the company's first overseas development base in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Lifull hopes to cut costs and attract talent by setting up the Malaysian base, particularly in light of an anticipated decline or shortage of IT engineers in Japan due to population decline. Malaysia is viewed as an attractive location due to its easily accessible location in the Asia-Pacific region, high digital competitiveness, and its collaboration opportunities with Japan.

Naoyuki Matsuo, former Aerodyne Japan CTO, has been appointed as the President of the Malaysian development base. Matsuo brings to the role extensive experience in establishing companies in Malaysia, local engineer recruitment, and team expansion.

Commenting on the establishment of the new development base, Lifull's CTO Tsubasa Nagasawa said, "With the addition of Mr. Matsuo, we aim to expand the development capabilities of the Lifull Group over the medium to long term by further strengthening the collaboration between the head office, Vietnam, and Malaysia, along with the development of the Malaysian development base."

Matsuo stated, "I will make full use of the experience I have cultivated in Malaysia over the past 13 years to further strengthen the IT team of LIFULL as a whole."

Aside from its flagship domestic portal Homes.co.jp, over the years Lifull has acquired a series of eclectic minor portals (see table below) around the world ostensibly to aid with its aggregator activities. The latest of those acquisitions was Mexican #3 player Lamudi which was bought from Dubai-based EMPG earlier this month.