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Image credit: Nathan Reinholz Japan Shelves Restrictions on Foreigners Buying Real Estate… For Now
Despite all the rumors and hubbub, the Japanese government has, for the time being at least, reportedly opted not to introduce restrictions on foreigners buying real estate. Right off the bat, it’s important to be clear that concerns around foreigners owning real estate in Japan have not evaporated. The government has simply shifted priorities. In… More
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Image credit: Yasuhiro Kitagawa Why You Can’t Find a “Unicorn” Property in Japan’s Major Cities
If you have been hunting for a “unicorn” property in Tokyo or other major Japanese cities, that perfect, under-market-value apartment or house that just needs a little love, and you keep coming up empty-handed, it is not your imagination. And it is not just bad luck. The game is rigged from the start. When you… More
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Image credit: Nathan Reinholz Japan’s Population Drops in All but 2 Prefectures
Japan’s 2025 national census found that the country’s population dropped by more than 3 million people compared to 2020, marking both its largest and fastest decline ever. Japan now has about 123 million people, a drop of 2.5%, showing that the country’s population problem has accelerated greatly. For reference, the drop found in 2020’s census… More
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Image credit: Yasuhiro Kitagawa Follow What Property Flipping Companies Are Doing
If you want to know where the real estate market is heading, don’t look at lagging public data. Instead, look at what institutional property flipping companies known in Japan as Kaitorisaihan (買取再販) are doing right now. Because these companies rely on rapid capital turnover, their actions serve as a leading indicator for the entire market.… More
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Image credit: Nathan Reinholz Kyoto City Suspends Minpaku Operator Over Missed Reports
A minpaku operator in Kyoto’s Ukyo Ward was recently issued a 30-day business suspension order after reportedly failing to submit a required regular report. What makes the case notable is that Kyoto City says this is the first penalty of its kind in the city for failure to submit the required regular reports. Under the… More
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Image credit: Nathan Reinholz Tokyo New-Build Condo Prices Jump Nearly 39%, Pushing 23-Ward Average Near ¥125 Million
April 2026 saw another sharp year-on-year increase in Tokyo’s 23-ward condominium market, with new-build condos jumping 38.9% to an average of ¥124.98 million. This is in contrast to the average price of around ¥100 million for a 70-square-meter 3LDK, the type of unit long held to be the benchmark for families. One minor caveat is… More
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Image credit: Yasuhiro Kitagawa [June 13th Webinar] How To Buy a Home in Japan as a Foreigner
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 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
