Looking for land? You might need to knock down a house first
If you are looking for land to build a house or other building on in Japan, particularly in a city, you may find lots are small in size while supply is limited. Of Japan’s total land size of 37,800,000 hectares, 66% is forest and 12% is farmland. Land for building purposes comprises 1,960,000 hectares or just 5% of the total - and that includes land that is already built on. The remainder is roads, rivers and waterways, and fields.
In an urban location, most of the land is already occupied, so domestic buyers will also consider lots with existing buildings that they can demolish. This is unavoidable in an area with a short supply of listings. If you limit yourself only to vacant lots, you may find very few options.
Osaka sees steepest drop in rosenka land values in 2021
On July 1, the National Tax Agency (NTA) released the rosenka land tax values for 2021. Not surprisingly, Osaka’s heavily tourist-oriented Shinsaibashisuji Street saw the biggest decline nationwide, with a 26.4% drop in 2021.
Land values drop for first time in 6 years
The nationwide ‘koji-chika’ (or chika-koji) land valuations for January 1, 2021 have just been announced. Read on if you want to see how the coronavirus pandemic has affected Japan’s real estate market.
Proposal to make property title changes obligatory
Several legal reforms are under discussion that could see heirs obligated to update property titles following inheritance. These proposed changes are intended to make it easier to identify the owners of abandoned or unused land across the country.
More locations see land prices rise in Q4
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism’s (MLIT) LOOK Report for the fourth quarter of 2020, a total of 15 locations recorded an increase in land prices, up from just 1 location in the previous quarter.
Government may introduce notification requirements for foreign buyers of sensitive land
The government is considering introducing legislation that would require advance notice to be submitted when a foreign national is purchasing land in or nearby areas considered to be of national importance. The draft bill is expected to be submitted to parliament sometime this year.
Kyoto sells hotel development site near Nijo Castle
Kyoto City is selling a 3,000 sqm site on the northern side of Nijo Castle to real estate developer Open House Co., Ltd. The developer is planning to open a low-rise hotel in 2024.