Tokyo's population growth highest in nation

According to the latest national census survey, Japan’s population shrank by 868,000 over the five years to 2020. This is the second time in a row to record a decline. The country’s population as of October 1, 2020, was 126,226,568. The decline of 0.7% is a slight improvement from the 0.8% decline reported in 2015.

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Edogawa-ku a no-go zone in event of major flood

The wording on a flood hazard map issued by Edogawa Ward in Tokyo has created a stir with the ward essentially telling residents to get out of town in the event of major flooding. 

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Akasaka - Japan's most sought-after residential address for CEOs.

Akasaka Tokyo
Akasaka and Tokyo Midtown.

Until recently, the most popular residential neighbourhoods for company presidents were Denenchofu and Seijo, but the latest trends show a preference towards central Tokyo.

Tokyo Shoko Research conducted a survey of 2.67 million companies nationwide and has ranked the most popular residential addresses of company presidents. In top spot was Akasaka in Minato-ku. It was followed by Yoyogi and Nishi Shinjuku. Denenchofu, which had once dominated the chart, had fallen to 18th spot, while Seijo dropped to 13th position.

In 2003, Roppongi was ranked 88th, while Nishi-Shinjuku did not even make the top 100. In 2014, Roppongi was ranked 5th.Read more


Google launches disaster prevention map for Tokyo

Tokyo Hazard Map
Fire hazard map for Tokyo

Google’s Crisis Response Team have released a disaster prevention map for Tokyo. The map shows the various risk levels for building collapse, fire and evacuation hazards, as well as the location of evacuation zones, public pay phones and tsunami evacuation buildings.

Zones are based on data supplied by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The local government has provided this data online for several years, but the link up with Google Maps has provided a much easier user interface.Read more


Government may introduce long-stay visas for wealthy foreigners

The Japanese Government is considering introducing a visa to allow wealthy foreigners to reside in Japan for a number of years.

The government wants to follow in the footsteps of other countries such as Thailand and Australia which offer long-stay visas. Australia recently introduced a significant investor visa which provides a four year visa to those who invest AUD 5 million in complying investments, such as state government bonds.Read more


Living allowances of university students falls to lowest level

The following article may be useful to those investing in student-oriented accommodation.

The average living allowance of a private university or college student living away from home and starting university in 2012 was 89,500 Yen/month (USD 917). This is the twelfth year of continuous decline.

The survey was conducted by the Tokyo Private University Teachers Union. A total of 5,349 students from 17 universities across Tokyo were surveyed between May and July in 2012. Of those students, 2,128 students were living away from home.Read more


Buildings in Minato-ku to be designated as tsunami-evacuation points

Selected buildings in Tokyo's Minato ward will be soon be designated as tsunami-evacuation points. Negotiations are underway between the local city council and 16 companies who own buildings of 10-storeys or higher. Approximately 36.5 million Yen has been set aside in the City's budget.

Several commercial and residential buildings in Arakawa-ku and Koto-ku have already received designations. While Arakawa-ku provided some assistance with the purchase of emergency supplies and rations, Minato-ku will provide all necessary supplies to the co-operating buildings. They are also considering providing assistance with any upgrades to building security so that they may be accessible to evacuees in an emergency situation.Read more