Large-scale resort/apartment complex planned for Yokosuka

Yokosuka Uraga Resort

After sitting idle for almost 25 years, a large-scale resort/apartment complex may finally be built at the eastern side of the City Marina Velasis in Yokosuka. The 8 hectare site was once the Sumitomo Heavy Industries Kawama Factory and ship building yards.

In 1989, Sumitomo's SHI Resort Development planned to build a 700-unit resort condominium complex, but the collapse of the property bubble put their plans on indefinite hold. Sumitomo later sold the land and yacht harbour to Unimat. In 1993, approval was granted to built the Velasis Uraga apartment blocks which were completed in 2001. There were also plans to develop the eastern side, but construction stalled over 10 years ago and the land has remained vacant.Read more


Kamakura Museum of Modern Art at risk of demolition

Kamakura Museum of Modern Art 1

The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura & Hayama is facing possible demolition as the prefecture has decided not to renew the land lease with the landowner (the nearby Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu shrine). The prefecture's difficult financial situation has meant that they cannot continue to operate the museum and it is scheduled to close at the end of March 2016.Read more


Musashikosugi apartment boom (and bubble?)

Concerns are growing about a possible over-heating in the property market around Musashikosugi Station in Kawasaki City as the area experiences a construction boom.

According to the latest 'koji-chika' assessed land values as of January 1, 2013, commercial land values in Kosugimachi increased 9.9% over the year while residential land values in the same area increased by 9.1%, making it the best performing area in Kanagawa Prefecture.Read more


Dai-ichi Life Insurance sells head office in Oi Town

The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company sold their head office building in Oi Town, Kanagawa, to coffee and tea mail-order company Brooks Holdings for 2 billion Yen (25 million USD) this month.Read more


Kanagawa Pref. to sell site of planned governor's residence

Kanagawa Prefectural Governor Yuji Kuroiwa announced that the planned construction of the official governor's residence has been canceled and the land will be put up for sale.

In the event of a disaster, the prefecture wanted the governor to live within walking distance to the prefectural office. However, the prefecture's worsening financial conditions have forced them to cut back on some expenditures.Read more


Former Olympus president transferred private real estate holdings to family

The Tower & Parks Denenchofu Mizonoguchi is a 32-storey condominium built in 2006. Apartments in this building are priced at around 614,000 Yen/sqm (722 USD/sqft).

Former Olympus president Tsuyoshi Kikukawa transferred two of his privately held apartments to his family members in November 2011.

The transfer took place immediately following the announcement of the concealed corporate losses. It is thought that he transferred his property ownership in anticipation of civil prosecution.

According to the real estate title documents, Kikukawa owned two apartments in a 32-storey residential building in Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki City. He jointly owned a 110sqm apartment on the 30th floor with his son who currently resides in the UK, and fully owned a 105sqm apartment on the 28th floor. His ownership of both apartments were transferred to relatives on November 17th.Read more


First historical listing for Oiso Town

The former Kinoshita Villa alongside Sagami Bay has been registered as a tangible cultural property. The house has been recognized for its contribution to the historical scenery of the area. This is the first listing for Oiso, and the 157th listing for Kanagawa Prefecture. Read more