Approximately 44% of Physicians Investing in Real Estate Report Owning Properties; Top Pre-Investment Concern is 'Lack of Time for Management'

Tax Savings, Asset Formation, and 'Choosing the Right Operator': Physicians Share Real Insights on Real Estate Investment

The medical profession demands high expertise and often leads to substantial income. However, many physicians struggle with heavy tax burdens.

As a solution, 'real estate investment' is frequently mentioned.

In recent years, access to information has improved, and an increasing number of salaried physicians are beginning to consider real estate investment early in their careers.

Still, when it comes to taking action, many face various concerns such as 'Can I really save on taxes?' or 'Can I trust the real estate operator?'

Therefore, in collaboration with the real estate investment media 'GALA NAVI,' we conducted a survey of 45 physicians who, in a preliminary survey, indicated they have experience or have considered real estate investment while working as salaried or private-practice physicians. The survey focused on 'physicians' tax-saving awareness and their perceived effectiveness of real estate investment.'

※ When quoting this press release, please follow these guidelines:

· Clearly state the source as 'Survey by NEXER Group and 'GALA NAVI' for Real Estate Investment'

· Include a link to GALA NAVI (https://www.gala-navi.com/)

· Include a link to the survey results article (https://www.gala-navi.com/column/research/c070100)

Survey Overview: 'Physicians' Tax-Saving Awareness and Perceived Effectiveness of Real Estate Investment'

Survey Method: Online questionnaire

Survey Period: June 12–15, 2026

Respondents: Physicians who, in a preliminary survey, answered 'have experience or have considered real estate investment while working as salaried or private-practice physicians'

Valid Responses: 45 samples

Survey Questions:

Question 1: What is your occupation?

Question 2: What is your medical specialty?

Question 3: What is your annual income range?

Question 4: What is your household composition?

Question 5: What is your experience or current status regarding real estate investment?

Question 6: How many properties do you currently own?

Question 7: What types of properties do you own?

Question 8: How much annual tax savings do you perceive from real estate investment?

Question 9: How does the actual tax-saving effect compare to your initial expectations?

Question 10: What was your primary motivation for starting or considering real estate investment?

Question 11: Besides tax savings, what other motivations were important to you? (Multiple selections allowed)

Question 12: Do you believe real estate investment has benefits beyond tax savings?

Question 13: What were your biggest concerns or worries before starting? (Multiple selections allowed)

Question 14: What information sources did you use for researching real estate investment? (Multiple selections allowed)

Question 15: Which information source did you trust the most?

※ Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number; totals may not sum to 100%.

44.4% are 'Salaried Physicians (General Hospitals)', 33.3% specialize in 'Internal Medicine'

First, we asked respondents about their occupation.

The most common response was 'Salaried Physician (General Hospital)' at 44.4%.

Other responses included 'Salaried Physician (University Hospital)' at 20.0%, 'Private-Practice Physician' at 13.3%, and 'Other Medical Professionals' at 22.2%.

We also asked about their medical specialty.

The most common specialty was 'Internal Medicine' at 33.3%.

This was followed by 'Surgery' at 24.4% and 'Pediatrics' at 13.3%.

How do physicians with different employment types and specialties view real estate investment, and what effects do they perceive in tax savings and asset formation?

28.9% have annual income of 'up to 20 million yen', 31.1% live in 'couples-only households'

Next, we asked about annual income.

The most common response was 'up to 20 million yen' at 28.9%.

This was followed by 'up to 12 million yen' at 20.0%, 'up to 15 million yen' at 13.3%, 'up to 25 million yen' at 11.1%, and 'over 25 million yen' at 6.7%.

We also asked about household composition.

The most common was 'couples-only' at 31.1%.

This was followed by 'couples with two or more children' at 28.9%, 'single' at 24.4%, 'couples with one child' at 13.3%, and 'other' at 2.2%.

The diversity in income levels and household compositions suggests a wide range of life stages among physicians considering or experiencing real estate investment. Some appear to be considering real estate investment as a means of tax savings and asset formation while planning for their own and their family’s future.

44.4% currently 'own properties', 40.0% own 'one unit'

Next, we asked about their experience and current status regarding real estate investment.

The most common response was 'currently owning properties' at 44.4%.

This was followed by 'no experience' at 20.0%, 'comparing options' at 15.6%, 'just before contract' and 'considered but postponed' each at 8.9%, and 'gathering information' at 2.2%.

We also asked physicians who currently own real estate about the number of units they own.

The most common response was 'one unit' at 40.0%.

This was followed by 'four or more units' at 25.0%, 'two units' at 20.0%, and 'three units' at 15.0%.

While many physicians start with owning just one unit, a certain number own four or more units. This indicates diversity in how physicians approach real estate investment, even in terms of ownership scale.

45.0% own 'urban condominium units'

Next, we asked physicians who currently own properties about the types of properties they own.

The most common response was 'urban condominium units' at 45.0%.

This was followed by 'suburban condominium units' at 25.0%, and 'entire apartment buildings' and 'single-family homes' each at 15.0%.

It is clear that many physicians prefer condominium units.

Among physicians investing in real estate, many consider condominium units—whether in urban or suburban areas—as viable options.

35.0% perceive annual tax savings of 'up to 1.5 million yen', 55.0% say the result was 'almost as expected'

Next, we asked physicians who currently own properties how much annual tax savings they perceive from real estate investment.

The most common response was 'up to 1.5 million yen' at 35.0%.

This was followed by 'over 3 million yen' at 20.0%, 'up to 800,000 yen' at 15.0%, while 15.0% responded 'no effect'.

Perceived tax savings vary widely. While the largest group reported savings around 1.5 million yen annually, some perceive savings exceeding 3 million yen, while others feel no benefit. The effects appear to differ based on property conditions, income level, and ownership status.

Additionally, we asked physicians who own properties how the actual tax-saving effect compared to their initial expectations.

The most common response was 'almost as expected' at 55.0%.

This was followed by 'better than expected', 'less than expected', and 'don't know', each at 15.0%.

Combining 'better than expected' and 'almost as expected', 70.0% of physicians perceived tax savings at or above their initial expectations.