Singaporeans top buyers of forestland in 2024
Offshore-domiciled funds and non-resident foreigners acquired 171 hectares of forest land in 2024, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Japan has 14.31 million hectares of privately-owned forest, with 3,044 hectares or 0.02% owned by offshore entities.Read more
Hokkaido village plans land purchase to block megasolar project near protected wetlands
A village near Kushiro, Hokkaido, is acquiring a 7.5 hectare land parcel adjoining the Kushiro Shitsugen National Park in an effort to block a proposed megasolar project that could damage the ecosystem of the protected wetlands. The wetlands are home to more than 600 species of plants and the rare red-crowned crane. Over the past decade, a number of solar farms have been built around the wetlands, drawing concern and criticism over their potential environmental impact.Read more
Land prices continue to increase across the board
Japan’s land prices increased for the sixth straight quarter, according to the latest LOOK Report published by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) on August 29.
In the second quarter of 2025, land prices saw a 0 ~ 3% increase in 75 of the 80 surveyed locations, and a 3 ~ 6% increase in five locations. Residential land values increased across all surveyed sites for the 13th consecutive quarter. For commercial land, Yokohama’s Minato Mirai district slowed to a 0 ~ 3% rise after a 3 ~ 6% increase in the first quarter, while Tokyo’s Nakano Station area accelerated to a 3 ~ 6% gain.Read more
Japan nationwide ‘rosenka’ land values increase for 4th year in a row
The ‘rosenka’ or roadside land values across Japan increased by an average of 2.7% in 2025, expanding on a 2.3% increase in 2024 and a 1.5% increase in 2023. This is the fourth year in a row to see an increase and the highest rate seen since 2010 when the National Tax Office updated its reporting method.Read more
Hakuba residents prefer curbs on land use to avoid becoming the second Niseko
A recent survey of 2,000 residents carried out by Hakuba Village found that approximately 60% of them believe there should be stronger restrictions in place when it comes to land use and development. This ratio has doubled over the past decade.
With foreign investors and developers increasingly turning their attention to the ski town causing land values to grow exponentially, resident opinions are starting to shift.Read more
Commercial land values rise over 10% in Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka
Japan’s land values continued to rise in key locations this year, with commercial land values in Tokyo’s 23 wards (+11.8%), Osaka City (+11.6%), and Fukuoka City (+11.3%) all seeing year-on-year growth in the double digits.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) announced the results of the nationwide assessed land values (地価公示) on March 18. Nationwide, the average land value across all uses increased for the 4th year in a row with 2.7% growth, showing an increasing pace from 2024 (+2.3%), 2023 (+1.6%), and 2022 (+0.6%).Read more
Hino sells off additional factory land for over 34 billion Yen
On February 28, Hino Motors announced the sale of a portion of its land holdings to a real estate developer. The sale price was not disclosed but the company is reporting 34 billion Yen (US$230 million) in proceeds from the deal.Read more