Setagaya has the largest number of akiya (empty homes) in Japan
On a city/town/district level, Setagaya ward in Tokyo has the highest number of empty homes, or akiya, in Japan. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, there were an estimated 49,070 empty homes in Setagaya as of a 2018 survey, representing 10.4% of total housing stock. Neighboring Ota ward was in second place nationwide with 48,080 empty homes, and a 14.8% vacant house ratio.
Tokyo apartment discounts in April
We have been receiving more than a few inquiries from keen buyers looking to snag a bargain in the current market, and we have been monitoring the market very closely. The bad news is that while reported transactions have fallen a lot in April, the data from REINS shows that price negotiations on in the residential market appear to remain relatively unchanged from last year. This is in line with what we are seeing on the ground. There are a few big discounts here and there, but they remain outliers.
Tokyo Apartment Sales in April 2020
The following is a selection of apartments that were reported to have sold in central Tokyo during the month of April 2020:
90% of real estate companies now feeling effects of coronavirus
Over 90% of real estate companies are now reporting that the coronavirus pandemic is affecting their business activities. This is a 20 point increase from a previous survey carried out in early March.
Daiwa House offering 3-month rent deferment to 500,000 tenants
On April 22, Daiwa House announced that they will be offering a three month rental-deferment plan to approximately 500,000 of their residential tenants. The company understands that tenants may be struggling with finances due to the economic impact of the global coronavirus pandemic and is offering this without the need for tenants to prove any proof of loss in income.
Japan’s largest hotel to house coronavirus patients
On April 10, hotelier APA Hotels & Resorts announced that the APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower will be leased out to Kanagawa Prefecture provide beds for coronavirus patients with light or no symptoms. The 37-story hotel is located on the Yokohama waterfront. With 2,311 rooms, it is the largest hotel in Japan based on room count.
Tokyo apartment sales drop by over 50% as pandemic hits buyer sentiment
Reported sales of existing apartments across Tokyo’s 23 wards have sunk to record lows this month as the coronavirus panic and state of emergency scares buyers from making big purchases.