Real estate transaction volume up 72% in 2013
Real estate transactions in Japan saw a sharp improvement in 2013, with the total volume increasing by 72% from 2012 to 4.108 trillion Yen (40 billion USD). With expectations of improving rents, REITs and foreign funds have been more active in the market. There has also been activity from large companies moving into their own buildings as a means to keep rental costs down. The rise in transaction volume has been a driving force behind the recent rise in land prices.
The annual volume, however, still remains below the peak of 6 trillion Yen seen during the mini-bubble in 2007. Following the Lehman Shock, or global financial crisis, in 2008, the market took a dive. By 2011, the transaction volume had dropped to 1.5 trillion Yen.Read more