Tokyo Star Bank considering home loans for wealthy Taiwanese

In an interview with the Sankei Shimbun on October 20, Mr. Pin-kung Chiang, Chairman of the Board at Tokyo Star Bank, mentioned that the bank was considering offering low-interest home loans to wealthy Taiwanese for the purchase of real estate in Japan.

While Taiwan has seen steep increases in home prices, the Japanese property market has remained relatively stable for the past 20 years. With the weakening Yen and 2020 Summer Olylmpics, Taiwanese are becoming more and more attracted to real estate in Tokyo, particularly high-rise apartments. Mr. Chiang said that buyers are not only interested in properties for investment, but are also looking at homes to use as a base when they visit Tokyo.

Source: The Sankei Shimbun, October 21, 2014.


September rental data - Tokyo Kantei

According to Tokyo Kantei, the average monthly rent of a condominium apartment in greater Tokyo was 2,575 Yen/sqm in September, up 0.5% from the previous month and up 1.2% from last year. The average apartment size was 60.01 sqm and the average building age was 19.3 years.

The average rent in Tokyo’s 23-ku was 3,207 Yen/sqm, up 1.3% from the previous month and up 3.6% from last year. The average apartment size was 57.02 sqm and the average building age was 17.4 years.Read more


Signs of life for vacant site between Daikanyama and Nakameguro

Kamimeguro 1 Chome Project 5

The large and vacant plot of land located between Daikanyama and Nakameguro may finally see some activity as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Meguro Ward have announced that they are seeking tenders from developers for the 8,500 sqm site.

The land was previously the site of lodgings for the Japanese National Railway Settlement Corporation (JNRSC). The property was acquired by the Tokyo Government and Meguro Ward in 1995 for approximately 6.4 billion Yen. Initial plans were for an aged-care facility and public housing.Read more


Supply of new apartments in September down 44%

According to the Real Estate Economic Institute, 3,336 brand new apartments were released for sale in greater Tokyo in September, up 58.1% from the previous month but down 44.1% from last year. 2,388 apartments were sold, making the contract rate 71.6%. This is an increase of 2.0 points from the previous month but is a drop of 12.0 points from last year.

The average new apartment price was 47,640,000 Yen, down 16.2% from the previous month and down 5.6% from last year. The average price per square meter was 665,000 Yen, down 14.2% from the previous month and down 6.6% from last year.

411 apartments in high-rise buildings (over 20-storeys) were offered for sale, up 93.9% from the previous month but down 78.9% from last year. The contract rate was 78.3%, up 27.4 points from the previous month but down 11.6 points from last year.

Approximately 3,500 apartments are expected to be released for sale in October, which is similar to the 3,506 apartments released for sale in October 2013.Read more


Foretseine Akasaka Hinokizaka to go on sale next month

Foretseine Akasaka Hinokizaka 1

Mori Trust will begin sales of apartments in their latest luxury development - Foretseine Akasaka Hinokizaka - at the end of November, with most apartments priced in the 300 million Yen range.

41 of the 54 apartments will be offered for sale with the remaining 13 going to the original landholder. Apartments range in size from 73.46 ~ 170.46 sqm and will be priced from around 110 ~ 470 million Yen.

The 7-storey building is located in an exclusive and historically high-priced area at the peak of Hinoki-zaka slope near Tokyo Midtown. It is next door to Proud Akasaka Hikawacho (2007; prices around 2,000,000 Yen/sqm) and across the street from Park Mansion Roppongi (2007; prices around 1,900,000 ~ 2,500,000 Yen/sqm).

Previews of the model room will start tomorrow (October 18). Read more


A new subway station for Toranomon

On October 14, Tokyo Metro and the Urban Renaissance Agency officially announced plans for a new subway stop along the Hibiya Line between Kasumigaseki and Kamiyacho Stations. The station will be located in the Toranomon district and will be just to the west of the recently completed Toranomon Hills.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2015 with the new station expected to be open by the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and an underground passageway to neighbouring buildings, including Toranomon Hills, ready by 2022.

The Toranomon area has been undergoing major redevelopment with new hotels, offices and residences. There are plans for a bus terminal to be located nearby the new station which could possibly serve as a transport link between the Olympic facilities in the bayside islands and central Tokyo.

This will be the newest station to be added to an existing subway line by Tokyo Metro since Tameike-Sanno Station was opened in 1997.

Sources:
NHK, October 14, 2014.
The Yomiuri Shimbun, October 15, 2014.


Hotel and office development for Tamachi Station area

Tamachi TGMM Shibaura Project

Tokyo Gas, Mitsui Fudosan and Mitsubishi Jisho announced plans for the redevelopment of a 2.8 hectare site behind Tamachi Station in Minato-ku.

The TGMM Shibaura Project will include:

  • Office Tower (A): 180m tall; 31 floors.
  • Office Tower (B): 185m tall; 36 floors.
  • Hotel: 65m tall; 9 floors.
  • Welfare Center: 35m tall; 6 floors.

Construction is expected to start in 2015 and should be completed by 2019. Read more