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On December 8 th , Tokyo Kantei released its November 2025 survey of average prices for newly built, wood-frame single-family homes in major metropolitan areas. The analysis covers freehold properties with land areas between 100 and 300 square meters, located within a 30-minute walk or a 20-minute bus ride from the nearest station. AI image created by Google Gemini Nano Banana using the prompt “Create a detached home construction site in Japan. Make the house modern, not trad

Mohamed El-Erian, Allianz chief economist and former PIMCO CEO, joined CNBC Closing Bell on December 5 th  to break down why U.S. bond yields are moving and why the shift has little to do with speculation over the next Fed Chair. He says the recent rise in Treasury yields is more likely tied to expectations that the Bank of Japan may raise rates this month, a move that could draw Japanese capital back home and push U.S. yields higher. When the Fed cuts rates and the BOJ hikes

Tokyu Plaza Ginza was renamed GinzaNovo on December 1, 2025. To mark the rebranding and the facility’s first Christmas under the new name, a seasonal event titled “Kaleidoscope of Joy: GinzaNovo × Ribbonesia” will be held. GinzaNovo, formerly Tokyu Plaza Ginza, updated exterior CG rendering courtesy of press release linked at the bottom of this article. According to the press release linked at the bottom of this article, the name GinzaNovo incorporates the Latin term Novo, me

On November 27 th , FJ Next Holdings released its Most Desired Neighborhoods to Live In 2025: Single Residents’ Rankings survey results The company conducted an online survey from October 20 to 28th, targeting 1,600 unmarried men and women in their 20s and 30s who live alone in the Greater Tokyo Area (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba prefectures). Inokashira Park near Kichijoji station; photo by note thanun  on Unsplash When asked where they would most like to live now, Ki

Cleverly Home, which operates a nationwide housing franchise under the Shinshowa Group , will begin using its custom-built model homes as short-term rental accommodations from January 2026. With advance reservations for model-home tours now the norm, the company says it has become easier to manage scheduling between daytime viewings and overnight stays. Hero image provided by Cleverly Home model house short-term rental stay information page, found here in Japanese only . The