Did you know: Atami City has a special tax on holiday homes
The popular beachside resort area of Atami in Shizuoka levies a special tax on owners of holiday homes and resort apartments within the city. Called a "besso" tax (besso = holiday house), it is very similar to a municipal tax. This tax is only charged on properties in Atami City, and is not found anywhere else in Shizuoka Prefecture.Read more
Taiwanese increasing investment in Japanese real estate
The Taiwanese media have been featuring stories about the rising number of Taiwanese buying real estate in Japan. And it's not just private investors, but corporations are also increasing their investment in the country.
According to the China Times, China Trust Real Estate Co. formed a partnership with a Japanese agency (Kukan Produce, based in Fukuoka) in order to introduce properties in Tokyo to Taiwanese buyers.Read more
Ark Hills Sengokuyama Mori Tower reaches completion
Construction of Ark Hills Sengokuyama Mori Tower, a combined residential and office tower in the Roppongi/Toranomon area, was completed on August 7.
The two hectare site has a 47-storey mixed residential and office tower, along with 8-storey low-rise apartments. The development took a total of 24 years, when including the long process of negotiating with local residents.
In the high-rise tower, offices are located on floors 25 to 47, while residences are on floors 3 to 24. Currently, 55% of the commercial tenants have been confirmed. They are predominantly foreign law offices and IT companies.Read more
Foreign investors return to Japan's property market
According to the Mainichi Shimbun, Foreign investors and foreign capital investment corporations are showing enthusiasm for Japan's real estate market. European and American property and investment companies are continuing to purchase residential and commercial buildings, while a major US bank has set forth on establishing a REIT in Japan.
The background to this renewed vigor is the outflow of funds in Europe due to the European debt crisis, and a general feeling that the real estate market in Japan has bottomed out. Experts are anticipating that the long-stagnating real estate market is finally reaching a turning point.Read more
Same day sell-out in Proud Funabashi
Sales of new apartments in Nomura Real Estate and Mitsubishi Corporation's "Proud Funabashi" condominium development in Funabashi City, Chiba, have been surprisingly strong with all of the units in the 2nd stage selling out on the same day.Read more