Will people still buy high-rise apartments?

This is a translation of an article that appeared in Japanese tabloid Nikkan Cyzo, so take it for what it is.

The March 11 Tohoku Disaster changed the mindset of many Japanese. The real estate market was no exception, with many a shift in the mentality of buyers.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Chinese Embassy buys land in Minamiazabu

The Chinese Government has purchased a 5677 sqm block of land in Minamiazabu. The Japanese Foreign Minister, Takeaki Matsumoto, said there is no reason for the Government to oppose the purchase.

The land was put up for sale by open tender by the Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations (KKR). It is thought that China paid 6 billion Yen (78 million USD) for the site.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Designer house in Oyamacho, Shibuya-ku

Price: No longer on the market

Designed by architect Hiroo Nanjo of atelier NANJO. The architect spent 20 years working in Brazil with other architects include Oscar Niemeyer. The Oyamacho House was his first project after returning to Japan in the 1980s. The house was built by one of Japan's major construction companies, Tokyu Corporation.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Kawaguchi Apartments (1964)

Size range: 36.80 ~ 146.85 sqm

This apartment building was built in 1964 by Japanese novelist, playwright and movie producer, Matsutaro Kawaguchi, and one of his quotes is displayed in the building lobby. It was considered one of the most luxurious apartment buildings in Japan for its time and was featured in GQ Japan magazine in 2001 in an article on desirable places to live. In its early years, the residents included many prominent people from the theater and literary world. It is located in the Kasuga 2 Chome area in Bunkyo-ku which was originally a very high-class residential neighborhood.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Living in a love hotel

Rent: 58,000 ~ 81,000 Yen/month

Tokyo-based property company, Landmarks Co., Ltd, have redeveloped a former love hotel in Sumida-ku into a rental apartment building. The studio apartments now have mini kitchens, bathrooms and, with the help of several designers, are finished in various modern and eclectic styles. The rooftop terrace was converted into a BBQ deck for residents (a rare thing to have in Tokyo apartments). The apartments have high-speed internet access, air-conditioning and there is also a washer/dryer room.Read more

by Zoe Ward

July Market Data

  • Average new apartment price down 3.7% in Tokyo
  • No. of high-rise apartments fall 69.5%
  • Office vacancy rates down in both Tokyo and Osaka

NEW APARTMENT SUPPLY DOWN:

Brand new apartments listed for sale in the Tokyo area in July fell 1.3% compared to a year earlier to 4073 units. This is the second month of decline. This is due in part to apartment showrooms opening for shorter hours to conserve power, less activity by developers and a general constraint in supply as material shortages and restrained buying cause developers to delay sales activity.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Tokyo's population growth areas

While the overall population of Japan is declining with rural areas suffering the most, the population in urban areas is growing as people move to larger cities to find work. In Tokyo City, the population increased in 2011 by 52,549 people to a total of 12,662,461 residents. While Tokyo's population is continuing to grow, the rate of growth is, however, slowing. For potential investors in Japanese property, obviously it is important to stick to areas that are growing and avoid the areas in decline.

Tokyo's Koto-ku and Minato-ku saw the largest increase in population over the past year, while other areas in Tokyo such as Kita-ku and Nakano-ku saw a net decrease in population.Read more

by Zoe Ward