[tristanj]

5 million yen is the company capital requirement. They would form a company, invest 5 million yen into it, then the company would lease an apartment and rent it out on Airbnb.

Rent would cost ¥60,000–120,000/month, they would list it on Airbnb for ¥20,000/night, then assuming 50% occupancy the return is ~¥200,000/month.

It was very profitable. The payback period for the ¥5 million was 1.5 - 2 years.

[decimalenough]

Also, the capital stays with the company! Wind down the company and (if it was profitable) you get your capital back.