Is Japan a good place to carry out that strategy?

Quote from @Carrie Baron: @Sean O'Keefe may I pretty please request a copy of the log book as well?

If you let the builder carry the construction and holding costs, the GC can get the construction financing. 

I can have multiple one use code for contractors so I can control access without physically going there.You do not need to carry the key, just need to keep track all codesMain disadvantage is that the locking requires the door to close properly, otherwise the tenant may not know the door is not licked.

If your project incurs losses, they can help determine if those losses offset your other income or if they are carried forward.

Incurring losses every year will mean that the losses will be suspended and carried forward and will offset future passive income.

I use a spreadsheet I developed to determine my entry costs, carrying costs, cash flow, tax write offs, appreciation and exit costs.

I personally would say your successful friend as a guide is like gold... don't look anywhere else.  

I refinanced it into a  5% 30-year mortgage with a local bank as the seller would only carry the loan for a year.

Passive losses exceeding this limit can carry forward to offset future passive income or gains.