Osaka to become Japan's Manhattan?
Osaka City is planning to increase the building height restrictions alongside their landmark Misouji avenue, in the hope to create a cityscape similar to Manhattan.
The current maximum building height alongside Midosuji is 50 meters, but the city is considering lifting the limit to 200 meters by as early as 2013. The new height limit would include office buildings, apartments, education and research institutions. The city is also considering a plan to completely ban cars from the street and turn it into a park, although that is not planned for another 40 years.Read more
Six hotels demand compensation from TEPCO
Six hotels in Akita Prefecture are seeking a total of 12.8 million Yen (166,000 USD) in compensation from TEPCO. The hotels claim that the nuclear power plant disaster has led to cancellations from foreign visitors, which has reduced their operating revenue.
The hotels are part of the Akita Prefecture Ryokan Association. The Association submitted the claim for compensation to TEPCO on their behalf. The claim by each hotel ranges from 120,000 to 5,200,000 Yen.Read more
PM companies leaving Hokkaido amid Sapporo office market slump
Several real estate property management companies have begun to close down their offices in Sapporo, Hokkaido, as the local commercial market continues to decline.Read more
Gunma also targeting foreign buyers of forestry
On February 8, the Gunma prefectural governor held a press conference to announce that they are considering introducing regulations to help preserve the forestry and natural water sources in the area.
This follows on from similar movements by other prefectural governments, including Hokkaido and Saitama, who are starting to monitor the purchase of large tracts of forest by foreign buyers.Read more
Apartments for wine lovers in Shibuya
Apartment developer, Inovv Inc, announced plans for a new residential building in Shinsencho, Shibuya-ku, that will be designed for wine aficionados.
Construction of the tentatively titled "Shibuya Shinsen Wine Apartment Project" will start in May 2012. The 10-storey building will have 18 studio apartments ranging from 42 to 45 sqm (452 ~ 484 sqft). Apartments will be available for rent only, and will not be available for individual sale.Read more
Grosvenor purchases Roppongi Arents
Grosvenor, an international property development group, announced that they purchased Roppongi Arents from Japan Tobacco in October 2011. JT had listed the building for sale at the end of 2010.
Roppongi Arents is a luxury residential apartment building built in 2003. The 4400 sqm site adjoins the Roppongi Hills development. Apartments range in size from 88.45 to 288.77 sqm (951 ~ 3107 sqft) and can be rented for between 470,000 and 2,200,000 Yen/month.Read more