Liquefaction in Sapporo caused by poor soil conditions

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The September 2018 Hokkaido Iburi Earthquake resulted in severe liquefaction in part of Sapporo’s Kiyota Ward, leaving roads caved in and homes leaning at dangerous angles.As at October 3, as many as 1,452 homes had suffered damage in Kiyota Ward. This wasn’t the first instance for the neighborhood with liquefaction observed during the 2003 Hokkaido Earthquake which had an epicenter 300 kilometers away. The liquefaction hazard map issued by the city had previously designated this area as being of high risk for liquefaction damage.

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Lending tightens for investment properties

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The fraudulent investment scandal, propelled by Suruga Bank, is having far reaching consequences for the investment property market with investors, even legitimate ones, finding it increasingly difficult to obtain financing. Since the start of the year, the price of investment properties has fallen. Meanwhile, outstanding loans to private investors has reached 23 trillion Yen (approx. 202 billion USD).

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Greater Tokyo second-hand apartment prices increase for 69th month in a row

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According to REINS, 3,244 second-hand apartments were sold across greater Tokyo in September, up 40.9% from the previous month and up 0.7% from last year. The average sale price was 32,920,000 Yen, down 0.8% from the previous month but up 2.0% from last year. The average price per square meter was 513,900 Yen, down 1.4% from the previous month but up 1.4% from last year. This is the 69th month in a row to record a year-on-year increase in prices.

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Mitsukoshi to close historic department store in Niigata

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Niigata City is losing major retail players due to a declining population and a shift in consumer habits towards online shopping and larger suburban malls. On September 26, Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings announced the planned closure of their Mitsukoshi Department Store in the city by March 2020. The closure is expected to worsen the decline in the city center’s retail district.

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Sales in Shibuya condo to start this month

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Domestic sales in The Parkhouse Shibuya Nanpeidai are scheduled to start at the end of this month, with 35 units on offer.Pre-sales to overseas investors in Hong Kong started in 2017. The 10-storey condominium is located a 7 minute walk from Shibuya Station and 300 meters from Cerulean Tower. This is the first new condominium to go on sale in the Nanpeidai address in 11 years.

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