Real Estate Guide

These articles contain information about real estate sales and purchases and are for those who are considering buying real estate in Japan. Topics covered include things to be careful of when choosing a property, what Japanese apartments are like, insurance for buildings, and more. We’ve written these articles in an easy-to-understand manner for foreigners who are not familiar with Japanese business practices.

English-speaking Movers in Tokyo (Local & International)

Are you moving in or out of Tokyo? Are you relocating to or from Japan? If so, you may need a moving service to assist in helping you relocate your belongings to your new home. If the thought of having to work with a moving company that doesn’t speak your language sounds like a nightmare, let us…

Individual VS Corporate Investment Property Ownership

Should you register your Japanese investment property under your own name, or under a corporate structure? What are the advantages or disadvantages of both options? How about tax implications? Accessibility to financing? Below is the transcript of an interview we conducted on our PodCast, with Mr S…

Income Tax on Rental Real Estate Income

The income received when renting out a real estate property in Japan is counted as part of your taxable income. It may seem frustrating at first if you don't know where to ask or how things are calculated. Here in this easy to follow guide, we will explain what rental income taxes can affect real es…

Real Estate Purchase by Foreigners – Our Service was Introduced by a TV News Program

Our real estate service was introduced by a Japanese national TV news program, “Super News(スーパーニュース)” on Fuji TV, February 26th and “Tokudane (特ダネ ) ” on Fuji TV, March 11th. The contents covered by both programs were about the recent increase of real estate purchases in Tokyo by foreigners. …

Withholding tax on real estate sales by Non-residents

When a real estate property in Japan owned by a non-resident or a foreign corporation is sold, to prevent omission of report on income tax, the person who purchases and pays for the property has to pay the equivalent amount of the income tax withheld upon the transaction to the local taxation offi…

A Simple Guide to Home Insurance in Japan

Living in Japan as a foreigner, you may face challenges due to culture shock, language barriers and just plain cross-cultural misunderstanding. But beyond these obvious daily experiences, foreign residents may also have to overcome hurdles in times of stress or disaster. When you own or rent a pro…

Can a foreigner purchase property in Japan?

With a weaker yen, increased foreign tourism, and a growing foreign resident population, there's been a surge in foreign real estate purchases in Japan. There has been a rise in the number of foreign purchases of condominiums, commercial buildings in central Tokyo, and resort properties in Hokkai…

Japan Earthquake Insurance Guide: A Simple Q&A

Japan is an earthquake-prone country, and there is a history of discussions and studies over a long period of time before the earthquake insurance system was introduced.　In the wake of the 1964 Niigata Earthquake, the government and property & casualty insurance companies researched and drafte…

Real Estate Notary in Japan

Real estate companies in Japan have staff who with the national qualification called Real Estate Notary / Real Estate Transaction Agent（宅地建物取引士）, more than 1 out of 5 of all employees. Those who are qualified as Real Estate Notary have a broad knowledge of real estate transactions and should, by a…

Land Use Zones under the City Planning Law in Japan

Land Use Zones (用途地域) are areas that are regulated under the City Planning Law (都市計画法) and designates the possible usage of land and properties in that area. This system is to realize an effective placement of buildings in accord with each area environment, avoiding mixed and disorderly land usag…