Most people in Tokyo use public transportation, so properties near popular train or subway stations are best. 

We are active on social media and we reach out to independent landlords, leave business cards on vacant properties, and reach out to local real estate agents.

And just hope your ARV appraisals come in where you think they are going to .. that can be a little bit of a wild card..

Likely wanting all your personal info to start up bogus credit card or other credit accounts. 

Did you pay with a credit card?

Having separate checking accounts (and credit cards) specifically for the rental properties might help the most as far as expense organization (and tax) accountability.

We currently both have a day job: he as a firefighter with the City of Austin and myself in the civil engineering (transportation) industry.

Look at your expenses- if you have a car payment, credit card payment, etc, get rid of those.

On renewal I would do market rent and whatever you want to give for disruption and noise give it as a gift card or some similar not a reduced rent. 

I didn’t sign because their aggressive desperation for me to sign up was a huge turnoff and ultimately it felt like they wanted my credit card number more than anything else (which I’m sure is the case).