Empty school buildings to be converted under regional revitalisation program
Amidst a declining population, which has become particularly evident in regional communities, the Japanese government is considering plans to encourage the re-use of closed schools and empty buildings in the countryside.
Under the Building Standards Act, changing the use of a building may require that building to meet certain construction standards, such as fireproofing. The proposed plan would be to make some requirements unnecessary if the building meets basic safety levels.
Empty school buildings and shopping malls lined with shuttered stores are becoming a common sight in Japan’s regional areas. To convert an old property into a hotel/inn or a restaurant, considerable expense may be required.Read more
With Airbnb-style rentals on the rise, what are the potential legal issues?
Airbnb-style accommodation options in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and other popular tourist destinations are growing, and with rising foreign tourist numbers, more people may be considering renting out their spare room or house on an accommodation site. However, in some cases this practice might violate the Inns and Hotels Act. Local governments are scrambling to find ways to get a grasp on the situation and find ways to monitor and regulate the practice.Read more
Residential yields in Minato-ku - February 2015
According to real estate listing site Homes, the average gross yield on an apartment in Minato-ku in February was 5.2%, down 0.1 points from the previous month and down 0.2 points from last year. The average gross yield across Tokyo was 6.8%, showing no change from the previous month and down 0.6 points from last year.
The average asking price of a second-hand apartment in Minato-ku was 884,371 Yen/sqm as of February 1, up 4.9% from the previous month and up 16.4% from the previous year. The average asking price for land was 1,254,242 Yen/sqm, down 0.6% from the previous month but up 17.0% from last year.Read more
Historic home in Kunitachi open to public before demolition
A historic home in Kunitachi City, Western Tokyo, will be open to the public for a viewing on February 8 and 9 before it is demolished.
The Takada Residence was built in 1929 ~ 1930 by physician and author Giichirou Takada. Mr. Takada moved his family from their former residence in the Akasaka Tameikesanno area in order for his eldest son to attend school in Kunitachi. This home would have been one of the original homes built when the suburb was developed in the 1920s.
The 2-storey wooden house sits on a 600 sqm block of land. It has a concrete basement (used as archives) and the house was equipped with steam heating.
Demolition is scheduled to begin at the end of March 2015.Read more
Two small towns offering free homes to attract new residents

In an effort to attract young families from outside the area, two small towns are offering free house and land packages.
Miyagi Prefecture
The town of Shichikashuku in Miyagi Prefecture will provide a 'rent-to-own' house to qualifying residents. After renting the home for 20 years, the tenants will receive the house and land for free.
Tokyo apartment sales in January 2015
The following is a selection of apartments that were sold in central Tokyo during the month of January 2015:Read more
Apartment in Daikanyama Hillside Terrace for Sale
Price: No longer on the market |
A 2-Bedroom apartment in Daikanyama Hillside Terrace was listed for sale this week. Hillside Terrace is one of those places that is yearned for by locals, but only very few are lucky enough to call it their home.
The apartments are in very high demand with buyers waiting years or even decades for the chance to buy an apartment, but it is such a tightly-held building that it is very rare to see anything offered for sale. In fact, this is only the second apartment we have seen on the market in over five years.
This current listing is on the 3rd floor, which is the top floor of the building. It has an internal floor area of 131.05 sqm (1,410 sqft). It is occupied by the seller, but can be inspected with advance appointment.Read more