Tokyo’s office vacancies hit 27-year low
The average office vacancy rate across central Tokyo’s main business districts dropped to the 1% range in November, according to office brokerage Miki Shoji. This is the lowest rate since the end of the bubble economy in 1991 which saw a vacancy rate of 1.79%.
Nihonbashi’s redevelopment projects between now and 2035
Tokyo’s historic Nihonbashi district continues to transform with several major redevelopments planned between now and 2035. In addition to these new high-rises, there are also plans to move the unsightly aboveground expressway underground, restoring the Nihonbashi river to its original state.
Yaesu 2-Chome redevelopment project to have minor but curious residential component
Construction of the Yaesu 2-Chome North District Category-I Urban Redevelopment Project officially started on December 3. Completion is scheduled for August 2022.
Central Tokyo office rents increase for 49th month in a row
The average monthly office rent in central Tokyo’s business districts was 19,338 Yen per Tsubo (approx. 5,860 Yen/sqm) in January, up 4.1% from last year and the 49th month in a row to see a year-on-year increase. This is the highest level seen since October 2009. Office rents are now up 19.3% from their recent low of 16,207 Yen/Tsubo seen in December 2013, but are still 15.5% below a previous record high in mid-2008.
Vacancy rates were down 0.67 points from last year to 3.07%. This is similar to levels last seen in 2007 and a marked improvement from the average 8 ~ 9% vacancy rate seen between 2010 and 2014.Read more
Tokyo office rents increase for 45th consecutive month
According to Miki Shoji, the average monthly office rent in central Tokyo’s five business districts reached 18,995 Yen per Tsubo (approx. 5,747 Yen/sqm) in September, an increase of 3.59% from last year and the 45th month in a row to record a year-on-year increase. The average is still 17% below the recent record high of 22,901 Yen/Tsubo (6,929 Yen/sqm) seen in August 2008.
Japan's supply of new office space hits lowest level since 1980
According to the Japan Real Estate Institute, 1.35 million square meters (approx. 14.5 million sq ft) of new office space was supplied across the country in 2016, down 25% from 2016 and the lowest level seen since 1980. 84% of the new supply was centered in Tokyo’s 23 wards.
Sapporo, Sendai, Saitama, Kyoto and Kobe saw no new office buildings supplied last year, although there are several new buildings planned for completion over the next two years. Kyoto City, however, has no new office supply planned for the near future. Kyoto is reportedly suffering from a severe shortage of office space with office brokerage Miki Shoji reporting a current office vacancy rate around 2%, down from 12% seen in 2010.