Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit 2025: YACHTZOO and Nigel Beatty Lead the Charge for Yachting in Japan
The Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit 2025, held in Hong Kong in May 2025, brought together the region’s top decision-makers, including family offices, yacht management companies, brokers, and industry leaders, to discuss the future of yachting in Asia 1. Among the key speakers was Nigel Beatty representing YACHTZOO, APSA and SYL, whose expertise and vision are helping to drive Japan’s emergence as a premier superyacht destination.
YACHTZOO’s Role in Shaping Japan’s Yachting Future
YACHTZOO is the first Western yacht brokerage to establish a dedicated office in Japan, with over a decade of experience in the region 2. Headquartered in Kobe, YACHTZOO Japan leverages its strategic location and deep local knowledge to provide a full spectrum of yachting services-from sales and charters to management and new marina developments 3.
Nigel Beatty, with 25 years of experience in the Japanese superyacht industry, has been instrumental in building YACHTZOO’s reputation as a trusted authority. His insights at the summit highlighted the immense cruising potential of Japan, which boasts more than 14,000 islands and a coastline 50% longer than that of the United States.
“Japan is over 1,600 nautical miles from North to South and with around 50% more coastline than the United States, the cruising potential here is immense… We don’t just operate here; we live here, and we are embedded in the culture as well as the yachting community.” – Nigel Beatty
Key Topics at the Summit
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Superyacht Destination Development: The summit explored what it takes for countries like Japan to become leading superyacht destinations, focusing on regulatory, infrastructure, and marketing advancements.
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Marina Developments: Presentations included updates on significant marina projects, such as the new Kobe Marina, which will further enhance Japan’s appeal for superyacht owners and charterers 4.
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Opening the Charter Market: YACHTZOO Japan has played a pioneering role in formulating new charter agreements, paving the way for the opening of the Japan charter market in collaboration with APSA and maritime law experts.
Why Japan? Why YACHTZOO?
YACHTZOO’s Kobe office connects clients with a diverse range of luxury yachts and offers tailor-made itineraries that showcase the “real Japan,” far beyond the typical tourist experience. The company’s commitment to innovation, local expertise, and infrastructure development is setting new standards in the Japanese yachting market.
As Japan’s superyacht scene gains international attention, YACHTZOO remains at the forefront-thanks to the leadership of industry veterans like Nigel Beatty – offering clients a luxury and authentic experience on the water.
