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.

Tips for buying an old apartment in Japan

According to a survey taken by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the total number of apartment buildings (as of 2012) in Japan is approximately 5,900,000. It is estimated that the number buildings over 40 years old will be around 730,000 in 2018. Second-hand apartments account for…

Long-term repair plan for Apartment (Large-scale repair & Reserve fund for repairs)

Proper maintenance is crucial for maintaining the safety, comfort, and value of an apartment building. Conducting appropriate renovations with consideration to the age and deterioration of a building in a timely manner makes a great difference in the ability of an apartment building to maintain its…

Reconstruction of an old apartment building - Rebuilt examples and problems

According to information from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, it is estimated that the number of apartments over 40 years old throughout Japan will be as many as 730,000 in 2018. As of 2013, there are only 183 cases in all of Japan of apartments being rebuilt. Due to the high num…

Reconstruction of an old apartment building - Reason of rebuilding, planning and resolution

Apartment buildings started being built in large numbers all across Japan in the late 1960’s and most the ones still standing have not undergone any reconstruction. While there are various opinions and data regarding the life span of a Japanese apartment building, we know for a fact that many of hav…

Housing Policy in Japan – Pre-owned Housing Market

Since 2006, Japan’s housing policy has been shifting from a supply of newly built housing to focusing on the effective use of pre-owned housing stock. Here is an introduction to the present trend of Japan’s housing market and the measures taken by the Government to encourage the purchasing of pre-ow…

Use of Home Inspection upon Selling and Buying an Existing house

As a measure for facilitating the purchase of pre-owned homes, the government has decided to amend the “Building Lots and Buildings Transaction Business” Act. The changes will be put into effect in April, 2018. In the amended law, the government has established the use of “Home inspection” as the me…

Withholding Tax for the leasing of real estate owned by Non-residents

When a foreign investor or a real estate owner who does not live in Japan due to overseas assignment rents out real estate in Japan and a lessee is a corporation, the lessee shall pay 20.42% of the rent to the tax office as withholding tax, and the lessor will receive the remaining amount after wi…

Home Inspections in Japan

While common in Western countries, in Japan home inspections before purchasing or selling a home is rare. The Japanese government is currently pushing forward the development of laws regarding effective use of home inspections when purchasing or selling pre-owned homes. The purpose being not only to…