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Image credit: Yasuhiro Kitagawa Condo Buyers May Face Delays Even as Japan’s Major Developers Forecast Record Profits
Despite rising interest rates putting pressure on buyers and developers alike, Japan’s five major real estate developers are all forecasting record profits for the fiscal year ending March 2027. These companies, namely Mitsui Fudosan, Mitsubishi Estate, Sumitomo Realty & Development, Tokyu Fudosan Holdings, and Nomura Real Estate Holdings, are expecting a combined 4% net profit… More
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Image credit: Picardi Francesco [May 23rd Webinar] From Property Viewing to Mortgage: How Foreigners Actually Buy Property in Japan
Host: Dovetail Inc. Date: May 23, 2026 Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (Japan Standard Time) Location: Google Meet Admission: FREE Registration Link Getting a mortgage in Japan as a foreigner is entirely possible, but the system isn’t exactly built with expats in mind. Between visa requirements, bank screenings, and property eligibility rules, the process… More
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Image credit: Yasuhiro Kitagawa Homeownership Among Japan’s 20-Somethings Hits a Record High Amid Anxiety to Buy Early
As housing prices continued to soar in 2025, Japan saw a record-high homeownership rate among couples in their 20s. While at first glance this may sound like great news for the economy, it may actually reflect a growing anxiety among these buyers that if they do not buy now, they may never be able to.… More
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Image credit: Nathan Reinholz Buying an Older Condo in Japan: The Pros, Risks, and What to Check
We often have customers send us properties they found online, thinking they’ve found a unicorn bargain. In reality, though, more often than not, these properties tend to be older used condominiums that were built under Japan’s old seismic standards. While there are some benefits to these properties, as a general rule, we tend not to… More
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Image credit: Nathan Reinholz 50-Year Home Loans Are Rapidly Spreading in Japan as Interest Rates Rise: What Lenders Are Doing and What Borrowers Need to Know
We have written a lot of articles on mortgage interest rates, and as you likely know, rates have only continued to rise. In order to analyze and address these concerns, the Japan Housing Finance Agency recently released its 2025 survey results, which aim to answer the question: how are banks and other lenders responding in… More
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Image credit: Yukihiro Takenaga Tokyo’s Meguro Ward Moves to Tighten Rules on Minpaku-Like Rental Properties
Meguro Ward in Tokyo has announced plans to tighten regulations on ryokan and hotels operating similarly to minpaku (aka Airbnb-like properties), particularly those in detached houses or single units in condominiums. Its local ordinance under the Hotel Business Act is expected to be revised this autumn. This revision would require operators of minpaku-like properties to… More
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Image credit: Yasuhiro Kitagawa [May 12th Webinar] Buying a Home in Tokyo and Benefits of Mortgage Tax Deduction for PR and Working Visa Holders
We are pleased to announce the newest home buying webinar from Dovetail Inc., as the latest news continues to support the trend of strong buyer interest in Japanese real estate. For example, it was just reported in January that the average asking price for a 70-square-meter used condominium in Tokyo’s 23 wards in 2025 surpassed… More
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Image credit: Yasuhiro Kitagawa The Official Definition of Akiya
While the word Akiya literally translates to “empty house,” it has evolved into a powerful marketing buzzword. According to the “2023 Housing and Land Survey,” the number of vacant houses in Japan has now surpassed 9 million units. This often evokes images of aged wooden homes available for the price of a used car or… More
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Image credit: Nathan Reinholz TOTO Suspends Bath Orders as Middle East Supply Disruptions Hit Japan’s Housing Sector
TOTO, a major Japanese bathroom and housing equipment manufacturer, recently announced that it has suspended new orders for unit baths and system baths as a result of raw material shortages. As of the writing of this article, TOTO is unsure when it will be able to resume orders, as a variety of important materials are… More
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Image credit: Yukihiro Takenaga Japan Tightens Property Registration Rules With New Owner Reporting Requirements and Nationality Disclosure Plan
In Japan, real estate ownership is registered through a national system, but it seems the government is about to make things even stricter. In fact, one reform has already been implemented, with property owners now being required to report any changes to their name or address. And soon, individuals will also be required to disclose… More
