City in Kyushu buys former Yakuza office

Image via Saga TV

Karatsu City in Saga Prefecture has purchased a former Yakuza office at a public auction. The city acquired the property at the request of both prefectural police and the prefectural bar association to prevent it from falling back into criminal hands. 

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by Zoe Ward

City abandons foreclosure of five-storied pagoda and temple grounds

Katsuyama City in Fukui Prefecture has given up on their attempt to auction off a foreclosed pagoda and temple property due to a lack of buyers.

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by Zoe Ward

End of mortgage moratorium means foreclosures set to rise

At the end of March 2013, the home loan moratorium expired, creating potential for a mortgage crisis in Japan. Households struggling to make repayments are beginning to panic as forecasts suggest interest rates are set to rise.

While banks are not likely to immediately foreclose on all late-payers, there is a chance we will see an increase in bank foreclosures on well-located properties in the later half of 2013 if land prices increase.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Foreclosures set to increase as more borrowers report difficulty making mortgage payments

The number of home-owners in Japan who are falling behind in mortgage payments and relinquishing their homes are increasing. According to the Fudosan Keibai Ryutsu Association (FKR), the number of foreclosed properties in 2010 was 51,746. This was a decrease of 7,000 from 2009, but is still at a high level.Read more

by Zoe Ward