South Korean company to develop condos in Niseko
South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group is planning a large-scale condominium project for the winter ski resort town of Niseko in Hokkaido. This would be the first major development by a South Korean company in Niseko.
Rent subsidy for retail landlords
A severe downturn in the retail, food, and beverage industry has led many struggling tenants to reach out to their landlords to request rent discounts. Although there are no government directives protecting tenants at this time, landlords are being encouraged to cooperate with tenant requests where possible. But, not all landlords are in a position to do so, with rental income often going towards loan repayments and property holding costs. Recently, some local cities have started offering financial support to those landlords.
Tokyo apartment transactions drop 38% in May
The number of second-hand apartments reported to have sold across greater Tokyo in May dropped 38.5% from last year to 1,692 units. With the state of emergency continuing into May, the temporary closure of real estate brokerages and general restraint from consumers saw a slowdown in activity. The drop is less severe than it was in April, which recorded a 52.6% year-on-year drop in transactions.
Tokyo’s population exceeds 14 million for the first time in history
The population of the Tokyo metropolitan area reached a record high of 14 million as of May 1. The continued centralization of capital, company headquarters, and universities has been the main attractor for students and young workers.
Quick real estate news summary for the week
Mass layoffs at a major landlord, hotel deals off the table, the biggest drop in business outlook, but good news for warehouse owners. Below is a quick weekly summary of some of the recent goings-on in the Japanese real estate market.
Heritage listed shop in Nagasaki to be demolished
A 122-year old jewelry store in Nagasaki will be demolished this month after the owner has decided to sell off the land. The Ezaki Bekko Store was founded in 1709 and, until this month, was Japan’s oldest tortoiseshell specialty store.
Tokyo apartment discounts in May
The real estate market continued to stall in May as businesses remained shut and people stayed home. Transactions in Tokyo are still down considerably from last year although there has been some improvement from April, and activity is already starting to resume in early June. Discounts still remain limited in many cases as sellers hold firm.