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On November 26th, the Nikkei Shimbun reported on proposed changes to how Japan values real estate for inheritance-tax purposes would shift assessments away from traditional indicators such as the National Tax Agency’s annually published rosenka (roadside land prices) and instead base valuations on the property’s original purchase price. Photo by Scott Graham  on Unsplash .   The national government aims to close perceived loopholes that allow heirs to sharply discount propert

On November 27 th , the Nikkei Shimbun reported the results on a performance survey of companies in Niigata and Nagano for fiscal 2024 (April 2024 to March 2025), compiled by Teikoku Databank’s regional offices. The results showed that just under 30% of firms in both prefectures posted increases in both revenue and profit. Nagano City skyline courtesy of Photo by Aoi  on Unsplash. In Niigata, 29.4% of companies reported higher revenue and profit, surpassing the share of firms

On November 22 nd , NHK World News aired a report breaking down Japan’s newly approved multitrillion-yen economic stimulus package and what it means for households facing rising living costs. NHK World News YouTube channel doesn’t allow embeds on third-party sites, so either click the image above or here to watch the segment . Key Topics Covered Japan has launched a ¥21.3 trillion stimulus package to ease inflation and support growth.   The plan restores electricity and gas s

On November 20 th , the Nikkei Shimbun reported  that the share of newly built condominiums in Tokyo’s 23 wards that were resold within one year of purchase reached 9.3% for units bought between January and June 2024, according to preliminary findings from Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) analysis based on property registry data. Photo by Jezael Melgoza  on Unsplash This marks the first time the ministry has conducted such a study, with full find

The Real Estate Economic Institute released its October report on the Greater Tokyo Area (GTA) brand new condominium market on the 20th. The GTA includes Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures. Photo by Timo Volz  on Unsplash GTA brand new unit launches totaled 1,316, down 28.2% year-on-year - the first decline in four months. By area, launches fell sharply in Tokyo’s 23 wards (535 units, -34.4%) and Chiba Prefecture (100 units, -76.6%), while Tokyo’s non-23 ward are

Japan-based real estate property portal Kenbiya has released its latest monthly summary of market trends for residential income-producing properties across Japan. Kenbiya differentiates itself from other property portals by focusing only on income earning, or buy-to-let, properties. The report, compiled by the firm, tracks advertised listing data published on the portal by subscribing agents for three major asset classes - strata-title condos, wood-frame multi-family whole bu

On November 12th, Wealth Management announced that construction has begun on a new hotel project in Hakuba’s Echo Land district, selecting “Cassia Hakuba” as the working brand name. The development is being carried out with Banyan Group, an international hospitality company. A ground-breaking ceremony took place on October 1, and the opening is scheduled for 2028. Finished exterior CG rendering courtesy of Wealth Management’s press release, linked at the bottom of the article

On November 18th, the Nikkei Shimbun reported  that Japan’s real estate industry is moving to curb speculative condominium resales, a measure aimed at addressing soaring prices in central Tokyo. The Real Estate Companies Association of Japan  (RECAJ), an industry body representing around 160 major developers including Mitsui Fudosan and Mitsubishi Estate, has compiled a new voluntary policy to prohibit the resale of brand-new condos before handover. Under the proposed rules,

A young renter shows how she manages daily life and living costs in a compact Tokyo apartment near Shibuya, offering insight into why small units appeal to budget-minded residents.

On November 13 th , the Nikkei Shimbun reported  that Nagano Prefecture’s Kiso Town  has launched a first-of-its-kind pilot program this autumn to carry out forest boundary clarification and cadastral surveys at the same time - a pairing long treated as separate processes in Japan. By harnessing AI that analyzes aerial imagery to estimate land boundaries with high precision, the town aims to produce legally valid cadastral maps while cutting survey time in half and reducing

On October 31st, the Asia Society held a wide-ranging panel discussion on Japan’s economic crossroads. Experts Jesper Koll, Robert Feldman, Andrew McDermott, George Olcott, and Alicia Ogawa debated whether Japan should adopt private equity’s profit-driven model or refine its own system built on long-term stability and shared prosperity. From Warren Buffett’s Japan investments to lessons from Hitachi and Toyota, the speakers explored how Japan’s public markets can balance inno

The East Japan Real Estate Information Network (REINS) announced on November 11th that existing home transactions in the Greater Tokyo Area continued to rise in October 2025, marking the 12th consecutive month of year-on-year (YoY) growth. Photo by Jezael Melgoza  on Unsplash The Greater Tokyo Area (GTA) consists of Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures. The data presented below is meant to illustrate average trends and does not guarantee price levels at all.  Real e

Sun Frontier Hotel Management Co., Ltd. will debut its new Hiyori Terrace brand with the opening of Hiyori Terrace Karuizawa Spa & Resort in March 2028. The 81‑room property will be the company’s first in the Karuizawa area of Nagano Prefecture. Lobby interior CG courtesy of Sun Frontier press release linked at the bottom of this article. The hotel will be located near the intersection of Route 18 Bypass and Prince Street, a 10‑minute drive from the Usui‑Karuizawa Interchang

From humble beginnings in Japan to building a global empire, Nobu Matsuhisa’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and partnership. After overcoming personal tragedy and business setbacks, the acclaimed chef joined forces with actor Robert De Niro to create Nobu Restaurants, a name now synonymous with modern Japanese cuisine and refined hospitality. Their collaboration has since expanded into Nobu Hotels and Nobu Residences, redefining luxury living and dining across major

Dominant residential leasing property portal AtHome announced on October 30 that its flagship AtHome property site ranked first among rental platforms for users aged 29 and under in the 2025 GMO Customer Satisfaction Rankings. The nationwide online survey evaluated satisfaction with 12 major rental listing services. Why does this matter? This age bracket is the prime target tenant for under 30 square meter rental units in Japan’s major urban areas.  As an owner, knowing what