Lester Goh

Department

AKIYA2.0 Inc.

Job Title

Co-founder & COO

INSTRUCTION LANGUAGES

Mandarin, English, Japanese

PERSONAL BIO

Lester is a 33-year-old national of Singapore who has lived in Japan for nearly five years. He trained as a professional architect, graduating with a Master of Architecture , and has accrued a portfolio of award-winning built works across Japan and Taiwan. He is trilingual in English, Mandarin, and Japanese.

He co-founded AKIYA2.0 Inc. in 2024 with the goal of revitalizing rural regions and conserving beautiful, traditional Japanese houses known as Kominka. Drawing upon his architectural knowledge, AKIYA2.0 Inc. has gone from strength to strength in both its property consultancy and the company's travel department.

Lester also serves as the president of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce in Japan.

WORK EXPERIENCE AND AWARDS

COO & Co-founder, AKIYA2.0 Inc., Japan (2023-present)
Founding President, The Singapore Chamber of Commerce in Japan, Japan (2025-present)
Architectural Designer, Suppose Design Office, Japan (2022-2023)
Architectural Designer, SUEP., Japan (2019-2022)

Awards: ‍

As Project Architect of By-You Office in Kaohsiung, Taiwan (more information), Lester was awarded:

Energy Efficiency Excellent Award, Taiwan Architecture and Building Institute, Taiwan (2024)
Good Design Best 100, Good Design Award, Japan (2024)

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Master in Architecture and Sustainable Design, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore
Bachelor in Architecture and Sustainable Design, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore

VacancIES

Architectural Intern

1 Vacancy

#Travel & Tourism #Design/Pre-Construction #Architecture and Conservation

Brief Introduction of the Department

AKIYA2.0 is an architecture revitalization, real estate, and tourism company that has been growing since 2024. One of our main missions is refurbishing a large number of traditional Japanese Kominka Houses, and this is done by our architectural team who assist with the general design as well as project manage the renovations. We welcome interns to join us and learn about our process and assist in our architectural management of these renovation project all across Japan.

Department Staff Number

Less than 5 people

Internship Job Description

This internship offers a valuable exchange: AKIYA2.0 benefits from the intern's assistance with the architectural management of our Hiroshima renovation projects, while the intern gains valuable insights from AKIYA2.0 and its local partners. The intern will learn about conservation techniques and gain practical site experience, expanding their understanding of architectural cultures beyond their home country.

The intern will assist the AKIYA2.0 team with the documentation and oversight of renovation and conservation work on two Kominka in Hiroshima. This includes collaborating with conservation teams who will be performing various tasks, such as cleaning and repairing traditional kawara roof tiles, and working with local contractors to update and renovate interior fittings.

The intern will also partially assist our media team with our media campaign by creating 3D models, renderings, and other content for outreach purposes. Through weekly updates and meetings with supervisors, interns are expected to demonstrate professionalism and provide assistance to the best of their ability, regardless of the form it takes.

Preferred Intern Education Level

Undergraduate students (third year and above)
Master students

Preferred Intern Skill Sets or Qualities

Must speak English well.
Japanese language ability is a bonus.
Proficient in CAD software such as SketchUp and Rhino.
Skilled in rendering software such as Lumion and Twinmotion.
Willing to work independently on-site and communicate with local contacts.
Ability to try and communicate effectively on-site work, with language apps when necessary.
A valid driver's license is highly desirable.

Internship Period

From June 15 to August 31, 2026 (adjustable at the discretion of the organisation)

Others

Expected working hours per week: 40 hours
Salary/Financial Support: Voyage of Aspiration Intern Scholarship
No additional benefits provided

Social Media Intern

1 Vacancy

#Travel & Tourism #Marketing Communications #Marketing Management

Brief Introduction of the Department

Our social media team supports both of these business arms and contributes to the company's overall growth. We welcome interns to join us during this post-startup, high-growth phase to help expand AKIYA2.0's social media presence.

Department Staff Number

Less than 5 people

Internship Job Description

Through this internship, Akiya 2.0 will benefit from the intern's assistance with social media planning and execution. Our social media team is currently led by our CEO and Social Media Lead. Together, they are strategizing to maximize outreach for all our services.

The intern may be asked to assist with recording and vlogging the restoration processes, as well as with the creation and curation of content for our various media channels. Through weekly updates and meetings with supervisors, interns are expected to demonstrate professionalism and provide assistance to the best of their ability, regardless of the form it takes.

Preferred Intern Education Level

Undergraduate students (third year and above)

Preferred Intern Skill Sets or Qualities

Must speak English well.
Japanese language ability is a bonus.
Familiarity with social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook) is required.
Understanding of search engine optimization (SEO) is an asset.

Internship Period

From June 15 to August 31, 2026 (adjustable at the discretion of the organisation)

Others

Expected working hours per week: 40 hours
Salary/Financial Support: Voyage of Aspiration Intern Scholarship
No additional benefits provided

‍

Software Engineer Intern

1 Vacancy

#Travel & Tourism #Programming & Software Development #Web & Digital Communications

Brief Introduction of the Department

AKIYA2.0 is an architecture revitalization, real estate, and tourism company that has been growing since 2024. One of our main goals is to refurbish a large number of traditional Japanese Kominka houses, while also developing digital solutions to enhance property management, cultural preservation, and tourism experiences. Our tech team drives these digital initiatives, and we welcome interns to join us to learn about building technology solutions that connect traditional Japanese culture with modern digital experiences.

Department Staff Number

Less than 5 people

Internship Job Description

Through this internship, AKIYA2.0 will benefit from the intern's assistance in developing and maintaining web platforms, mobile applications, and digital tools for property management and cultural documentation. The intern will gain valuable experience in full-stack development, interactive mapping, data analytics, and IoT solutions, while contributing to projects that support both local and international users.

The intern may assist in creating user-friendly interfaces, developing APIs for partner integrations, building virtual tours, and supporting other technical projects as needed. Through weekly updates and meetings with supervisors, interns are expected to demonstrate professionalism and provide assistance to the best of their ability, regardless of the form it takes.