Malaysian developer to build resort in Okinawa

October 22, 2012Okinawa,Real Estate News,All

Kin Town in Okinawa announced on October 18 that they have signed a contract to lease beachfront land to Malaysian property developer Dijiaya Land Development.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Tokyo apartment contract ratio drops below 70%

October 19, 2012New Construction,Real Estate News,Market Information,All

According to the Real Estate Economic Institute, the number of new apartments released for sale in September in greater Tokyo (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba) dropped 9.3% from last year to 3,366 units.

The contract ratio for the month was 69.3%. This was the first time in 13 months where the ratio fell below 70%. A ratio below 70% is considered to be a sign of a slump in demand.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Sendai's property bubble

October 17, 2012Tohoku,Sendai City,Japan investment propertiesOther Properties,Real Estate News,All,2011 Tohoku Disaster

Somewhat sensationalist magazine Nikkan SPA has reported that Sendai is experiencing a property bubble brought on by the reconstruction work following the Tohoku disaster.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Lose weight and pay less rent?

October 15, 2012Share houseReal Estate News,Rental Market,All,Osaka

One share house in Osaka has come up with a unique concept of combining weight loss with rent. The 'Beauty&Diet Ladies Sharehouse' in Suita City is offering tenants a discount of 1,000 Yen off their monthly rent for each kilogram they lose while living in the house.

The monthly rent charged to each tenant is calculated by how much they each weigh. For every 1 kg, you are charged 1,000 Yen/month in rent. Lose weight, and your rent goes down. The landlord, Broad Enterprise, believe this might be the first of its kind in the world.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Rent a house in a UNESCO World Heritage area for just 10,000 Yen/month

October 13, 2012Traditional Japanese House,Gokayama,Toyama Prefecture,Historic properties in Japan,UNESCO World Heritage ListHistoric Properties,Rental Market,All

A 88-year old house in Gokayama has been listed for rent at just 10,000 Yen/month (127 USD) in a bid by Nanto City to entice families to the area.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Uenoshita Dojunkai Apartments to be demolished

October 12, 2012dojunkai,Uenoshita ApartmentsDemolition,Historic Properties,Real Estate News

The last remaining 'dojunkai' apartment building, Uenoshita Apartments, will be demolished next year to make way for a new 14 storey condominium developed by Mitsubishi Jisho Residence.

The head of Taito-ku gave approval on October 9 for the formation of the reconstruction committee.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Hokkaido facing difficult task of regulating transactions on forestry

October 10, 2012Land,Real Estate News,Hokkaido,All

Regulations requiring advance notification of the sale of land containing a water source came into effect on October 1st, but Hokkaido is already facing the difficult task of identifying and contacting land owners.

In Hokkaido, 53 areas were designated for water resource preservation. Correspondence has been sent to the 4,000 affected land owners, but only 60% could be contacted. The whereabouts of the remaining land owners remains unknown.Read more

by Zoe Ward