Japan's high-rise apartment market, March 2013
According to the latest data from the Real Estate Economic Institute's report on the high-rise apartment market, there are over 96,500 apartments in buildings over 20 stories tall either under construction or in the planning stages across Japan.
273 high-rise residential buildings are expected to be completed from 2013 onwards, with a total of 96,512 individual apartments. This is an increase of 38 buildings and 14,374 apartments from March 2012.Read more
The last Dojunkai to be demolished in June
While the 84-year old Uenoshita Apartments in Tokyo's Taito-ku may have miraculously survived the Great Tokyo Air Raid in 1945, it is not immune from re-development as the wrecking ball is set to swing on the apartment building next month.Read more
Grand Front Osaka Owner's Tower sold out
All 525 apartments in the just-competed Grand Front Osaka Owner's Tower have now sold, heralding what many believe to be the turning point for the residential market.
The most expensive apartment was a 415 million Yen 300sqm 3-bedroom penthouse. Read more
Apartment bubble - Why new apartment prices are rising
Recent news reports have suggested that real estate prices in Japan are set to rise and that a property bubble is imminent. But how true are these reports?
The prices of brand new apartments in Japan's major capitals has certainly increased (up 3.0% over 12 months in greater Tokyo in March 2013). However, the main reason for the increase in price is not a property bubble, but an increase in construction costs.Read more
Mori's latest apartments in Shibuya's Kamiyamacho neighbourhood
Luxury property developer Mori Building has completed construction of a stylish residential development in the exclusive Kamiyamacho neighbourhood in Shibuya.
Called 'Case' the six units were designed by Pritzer Prize-winning architectural firm SANAA (Sejima and Nishizawa and Associates).Read more
New apartment supply to return to pre-Lehman levels in 2013
According to the Real Estate Economic Institute, the supply of new apartments offered for sale in greater Tokyo in March 2013 was 5,318 units - 48.4% higher than March 2012. Developers have been pushing forward their sales dates in order to capitalise on an expected last-minute rush before the first consumption tax increase hits consumers in 2014.
The total supply of new apartments in 2013 is expected to exceed 50,000 units for the first time since 2007. In 2012, the supply was down 3.5% from the previous year to 46,754 apartments and the contract rate was 76.7%. The contract rate for March 2013 was 82.1%.Read more
Local residents delay construction in Asakusa
Local residents and parent-teacher-association members in Asakusa, opposed to plans for a new 13-storey condominium, have delayed the construction after protesting outside the building site. As trucks carrying construction equipment neared the site on the morning of March 1, they were met by 30 protestors blocking the entrance. The police soon arrived to assess the situation.Read more