Land and apartment prices continue to fall [Nomura]
Nomura Real Estate Urban Net published the results of their survey on residential land and apartment price movements on October 1, 2011. According to the data, bearish patterns continue for residential land prices in greater Tokyo (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba).
Between July and September, residential land prices fell 1% in greater Tokyo. Of the surveyed areas, 5.7% had an increase in land prices, 64.3% had no change and 30% had a fall in prices. Meanwhile, land prices in Tokyo's 23 wards saw no change over the past 12 months while Saitama and Chiba Prefectures both saw a decline of 1.9%. Read more
Steps towards reducing discrimination against foreign tenants
Many foreigners may have experienced some kind of discrimination when trying to rent an apartment in Japan. Landlords not only discriminate against foreign residents, but also the elderly, disabled and even families with small children.
Hyogo Prefecture, has introduced a new relief system for rental housing that targets the elderly and foreigners who are frequently turned down by landlords when trying to rent an apartment.Read more