Japan’s standard land prices up in urban areas, but continue to decline in regional areas

According to the MLIT, the standard land price (kijun-chika) across Japan’s three major cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya increased by 0.8% over the 12 months to July 1, 2014. This is the second year in a row to see an annual increase. In 2013, land prices increased by 0.1%. Residential land prices increased by 0.5% in the three major cities. This was the first time in six years to see an increase.

The nationwide average, however, fell by 1.2%. This is the 23rd year in a row to see a decline in land prices, although the rate of decline has shrunk (land prices dropped by 1.9% in 2013). Regional areas saw a 1.9% decline in land prices in 2014. This is the first time in 16 years that the rate of decline in regional areas has been as low as the 1% range. However, residential and commercial land values in regional areas suffering from declining populations have seen land prices drop further.