Office vacancy rates in June - Miki Shoji

According to Miki Shoji's Office Report for the month of June 2013, the vacancy rate in Tokyo's 5 central business districts (Chiyoda, Chuo, Minato, Shinjuku and Shibuya) was 8.46%, up 0.13 points from last month but down 0.97 points from June 2012. This is the first time in four months that vacancy rates have increased.

The vacancy rate in new buildings was 11.60%, up 0.50 points from last month.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Konami acquires Hotel Seiyo Ginza building

Gaming company Konami Corporation have purchased the Hotel Seiyo Ginza building from Tokyo Theatres for 17.8 billion Yen (180 million USD). Konami plans to convert the hotel into commercial space to be used as gaming development offices. Some of their 3,000 staff in Roppongi will relocate to the Ginza location. They will also develop event spaces which can be used to hold gaming conventions.

The 12 storey building has a total floor area of approximately 19,000 sqm (204,000 sqft) and is on a 2254 sqm block of land. The hotel was opened at the beginning of Japan's bubble in 1987. The 77-room hotel was the first in Japan to offer concierge services. In 2000, Seiyo Corporation filed for bankruptcy and the building was sold to Tokyo Theatres Co. Read more

by Zoe Ward

Kengo Kuma to design new Shibuya Station area

On June 17, Tokyu Corporation and JR announced that internationally renowned architectural firm Kengo Kuma and Associates will be designing part of the new Shibuya Station area redevelopment.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Office vacancy rates in May - Miki Shoji

Miki Shoji released their Office Report for the month of May 2013. Vacancy rates in Tokyo's central business districts (Chiyoda, Chuo, Minato, Shinjuku and Shibuya) dropped by 0.21 points from last month to 8.33%. This is the third month in a row where vacancy rates have reduced.

The vacancy rate in new buildings was 11.10%, down 6.21 points from last month. Three office buildings were completed in Tokyo in May: Kyobashi East Building, Sumitomo Shoji Kyobashi Building and PMO Yaesu Dori.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Office vacancy rates in March - Miki Shoji

According to Miki Shoji's Office Report for March 2013, the vacancy rate in Tokyo's central business districts of Chiyoda, Chuo, Minato, Shinjuku and Shibuya dropped by 0.01 points to 8.56%.

In Chiyoda-ku, the vacancy rate dropped 0.07 points to 6.59% as tenants began to move into recently completed Ochanomizu Sola City and existing buildings saw tenants combine their business operations in one space. Read more

by Zoe Ward

Chongryon Headquarters purchased by religious organisation

*Update: Chief Priest Ekan Ikeguchi of Buddhist temple Saifukuji announced at a press conference on May 10 that he can no longer purchase the building as the temple was unable to obtain financing. As a result, he will lose his 500 million Yen deposit and be banned from bidding on the building when it goes up for auction again this summer.*

A Kagoshima-based religious organisation made the highest bid to purchase the Chongryon Headquarters / North Korean Embassy in Tokyo's Chiyoda-ku. Saifukuji - a part of the Shingon Buddhism sect - bid 4.519 billion Yen (48 million USD) for the property.Read more

by Zoe Ward

A look inside the foreclosed Chongryon headquarters

The headquarters of the Chongryon and de facto embassy of North Korea in central Tokyo were seized by the Supreme Court in 2012 over unpaid debts. The 10-storey building and 2390 sqm block of land are up for public auction this month with bids open from March 12 to March 19. 

The court evaluation is approximately 2.66 billion Yen (28 million USD), which is not even close to the 62.7 billion Yen debt owed by Chongryon to the Resolution and Collection Corporation.  Despite the prime location, the court evaluation is considered to be relatively low. This is partly attributed to the building's ties with North Korea which may turn off a few investors.Read more

by Zoe Ward