Tokyo apartment rent hits 2.5 year low
In September, the average monthly rent of a condominium-type apartment in the Tokyo metropolitan area was 3,712 Yen/sqm, down 0.3% from the previous month and last year, and the lowest level seen in 12 months. Neighboring Saitama and Chiba both saw rents fall by 1.0% and 1.7% from the previous month, although they are still higher than they were 12 months ago.
Tokyo apartment rents drop slightly after moving season
The average monthly rent of a condominium-type apartment in Tokyo’s 23 wards was 3,835 Yen/sqm in June, down 0.3% from the previous month but up a slight 0.2% from last year. The average apartment size was 51.38 sqm (553 sq.ft).
Apartment rents in Tokyo remain flat throughout pandemic
Unlike some other major cities across the world, average apartment rents in Tokyo have remained somewhat flat throughout the pandemic with little volatility.
How has Tokyo's rental market changed since the pandemic
News reports are still coming out about an exodus from Tokyo as the coronavirus pandemic continues, but has this had any effect on the real estate market in Tokyo’s 23 wards?
Tokyo apartment rents drop across all size ranges
According to the latest data on the residential rental market provided by AtHome, the average advertised rent across all four apartment types saw a year-on-year decline in Tokyo’s 23 wards.
Average apartment rent down in greater Tokyo
According to Tokyo Kantei, the average monthly rent of a condominium-type apartment across greater Tokyo in August was 2,628 Yen/sqm, down 0.1% from the previous month and down 1.2% from last year. The average apartment size was 59.74 sqm and the average building age was 21.1 years.
Apartment occupancy rates reach record high in Japan
The average occupancy rate of rental apartment buildings acquired by J-REITs has been steadily improving since 2010 and has exceeded levels last seen during the peak in 2008. In the second half of 2016 the average occupancy rate was 96%, a record high.
This is due both to an improving property market and REITS acquiring relatively new buildings in prime, central locations. While occupancy rates remain high in Tokyo, other cities across the country are seeing a reversal with a declining trend evident since 2013.
Trends in cities other than Tokyo:
- Sapporo: Although occupancy levels are relatively high, they have been decreasing since late 2014.
- Sendai: Occupancy rates reached record highs due to housing demand following the Tohoku disaster in 2011, but have been slowly falling. Sendai has seen the highest decline of all cities.
- Yokohama: Occupancy has been falling since mid-2013, although there was an improvement in the second half of 2016.
- Nagoya: Occupancy rates have been falling since 2013 and are sitting at a comparatively low level.
- Osaka: Occupancy rates have been improving since late 2015 and are at a relatively high level.
- Fukuoka: Occupancy rates have been steadily falling. The rate of decline has been influenced by a building with an occupancy rate of less than 80%.
*Central Tokyo 5 wards: Chiyoda, Chuo, Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya.
Source: Mizuho Real Estate Market Report, July 14, 2017.