Property Ownership and Buying Procedures in JAPAN

August 23, 2010 - Japan

Freehold is the only type of property tenure in Japan. There is no equivalent system of leasehold property ownership.

There is a property holding system called land lease, but this applies only to the ownership of a building and not the land.

In addition, a "land lease" is granted only under the condition that the building is owned by a company or individual from the actual land owner.

Glass House by Hikohito Konishi

April 30, 2010 - Japan

This custom-built snow house, designed by Japanese architect Hikohito Konishi, employs glass, concrete and steel and sits perched atop a steep woodland escarpment, ensuring year round views of breathtaking Hokkaido landscape and Mt Youtei.

The three-bedroom, three-bathroom home features expanses of sliding glass on the south side of the property.

Japan - The One and the Many

April 20, 2010 - Japan

Japan. Few places evoke such a rich and varied collection of images in the mind’s eye: blue hills shrouded in rolling mist; bullet trains moving at the speed of light; tranquil temples, bonsai gardens; futuristic cities flooded with neon light; colourful kimono-clad Geishas; businessmen in monochrome suits…remarkably, most of these images fulfill an accurately descriptive function.

The particular fusion of ultra-modern industrialised wealth with time-honoured cultural codes is part of what distinguishes this archipelago of islands in the Pacific – as do the gracious hospitality and attention to detail that render anything from dining, shopping, sightseeing and relaxing an absolute indulgence.

Number of Japanese living in condos increase

February 04, 2010 - Japan

Families and single occupants living in condos accounted for 11.42 per cent of all households in Japan at the end of 2009, up 0.27 percentage point from a year earlier, data from Tokyo Kantei Co. shows.

But given declines in condo offerings, the percentage may start falling, going forward, the company predicts.

Biggest Drop Of Land Prices In Japan In Five Years

October 02, 2009 - Japan

Land prices in Japan have seen the biggest drop in five years as more discouraged buyers and tighter markets cut off funding to developers.

In the 12 months leading up to June this year the average price has dropped 4.4 percent.

This reflects an 18 month spell of decline said the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in a report.