Pirate-themed house in Yamanashi
Canadian Home Yamanashi has recently completed a 3-bedroom home built to resemble a pirate ship. The home-owner, Masaru Watanabe, wanted a house that would resemble the Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean. Mr. Watanabe said at first he had difficulty finding a builder who could create such an unusual home.Read more
Earthquake insurance premiums to rise 15.5%
Earthquake insurance premiums on households are expected to rise by an average of 15.5% from July 2014. The reason for the increase is due to the growing risk of another major earthquake. Also, the insurance industry saw a surge in payouts following the Tohoku earthquake which has drained the reserve fund.
The average annual premium on a concrete or steel-framed residence with 10 million Yen coverage in Tokyo would increase from 16,900 Yen to 20,200 Yen. In disaster-hit areas in Iwate and Fukushima Prefectures, premiums may rise by as much as 30%. Meanwhile, some areas such as Yamagata Prefecture may see premiums fall.Read more
Chongryon Headquarters purchased by religious organisation
*Update: Chief Priest Ekan Ikeguchi of Buddhist temple Saifukuji announced at a press conference on May 10 that he can no longer purchase the building as the temple was unable to obtain financing. As a result, he will lose his 500 million Yen deposit and be banned from bidding on the building when it goes up for auction again this summer.*
A Kagoshima-based religious organisation made the highest bid to purchase the Chongryon Headquarters / North Korean Embassy in Tokyo's Chiyoda-ku. Saifukuji - a part of the Shingon Buddhism sect - bid 4.519 billion Yen (48 million USD) for the property.Read more