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Tokyo has formally selected the operators of Japan’s first public–private partnership funds dedicated to affordable housing, launching four new vehicles designed to ease housing pressures on families with children. Tenant recruitment by the fund managers is expected to begin as early as May. Photo by Yu Kato on Unsplash . The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has made expanding affordable housing - rental homes offered below market rates - a central part of its strategy to impro

The Nikkei Shimbun published on February 24th an article highlighting a growing concentration of short-term condominium resales in central Tokyo, adding to concerns that speculative trading may be distorting prices in some of the capital’s most expensive neighborhoods. According to a private-sector survey cited in the report, resale activity was notably higher in the city center. In 2025, roughly 5% of units in condominiums less than five years old in Chiyoda Ward were listed

After decades characterized by falling prices, ultra-low yields, and subdued growth, Japan is navigating a markedly different economic environment. Inflation has re-emerged, interest rates are shifting, and structural reforms are beginning to influence market behavior. In this Bloomberg Wall Street Week episode released on February 21st, Apollo Global Management’s Marc Rowan, Japan Exchange Group’s Hiromi Yamaji, and Brookings Institution’s Mireya Solís explore how Japan’s ma

The Japan Housing Finance Organization (JHF) on Feb. 20 released the results of its Survey on the Conditions of Mortgage Borrowers (January 2026 survey), showing that variable-rate mortgages continue to dominate while expectations of rising interest rates intensify. The survey targeted individuals aged 20 to 70 who took out housing loans between April and September 2025, gathering 1,237 valid responses. Photo by PJH on Unsplash The most common borrowing rate range was 0.5% t

New condominium supply in the Greater Tokyo Area rose modestly in January 2026, while prices continued their upward trend and contract rates remained subdued according to the latest survey released by the Real Estate Economic Institute on February 19th. Photo by Cem Ersozlu on Unsplash The survey covers Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba prefectures, collectively referred to as the Greater Tokyo Area. Sales Increase for First Time in Four Months A total of 628 new condominiu

Japan’s tourism surge reached record levels in 2025, with arrivals exceeding 40 million. A weaker yen has boosted international travel and pushed visitor flows into regional destinations like Nozawa Onsen. While demand is rising, so are signs of crowding, higher prices, and infrastructure strain. Patrick Falk reports from Nozawa Onsen for Al Jazeera. Key Points Nozawa Onsen is depicted under strain from heavy crowds and long queues The village’s mix of traditional ryokan, ski

AtHome, a leading Japanese real estate property portal, announced on February 17th the results of its “Ask the Pros 2025 Ranking of Most Inquired About Features - Buyer Edition,” offering insight into the equipment and features most frequently requested by buyers of condominiums and single-family homes (SFH). Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash The ranking is based on an online survey conducted between January 14th and 21st, 2026, targeting AtHome subscribed advertising rea

On February 17 th , the Nikkei Shimbun reported that Otari Village in northern Nagano Prefecture will introduce subsidies for rental housing construction under its proposed fiscal 2026 budget, aiming to address a worsening housing shortage as demand rises from ski resort activity and new residents. Photo by mahiru dake on Unsplash The village launched a similar initiative in a supplementary budget for fiscal 2025, allocating ¥16 million. For the new fiscal year, Otari plans

Moody’s Analytics’ Stefan Angrick spoke with Bloomberg’s The Asia Trade   on February 16th, examining Japan’s outlook against the backdrop of softer inflation, uneven wage growth, and weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter GDP. He emphasized the importance of real wage gains for sustaining consumption and economic momentum. The full interview can be viewed in the embedded video below. Topics Covered Real wage growth remains fragile despite strong headline wage settlements report

Construction has begun on Japan’s first fully indoor, all-weather rugby stadium in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward, project developers announced on February 12th. The facility, provisionally titled the New Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, is being developed by Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium Co., Ltd., backed by Kajima Corporation as the lead company alongside Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., Tokyo Tatemono, and Tokyo Dome Corporation. CG image rendering of finished stadium (centre) in relation to

On February 10th, the Real Estate Information Network for East Japan (REINS)  released its report on real estate market trends in the Greater Tokyo Area (GTA) for January 2026, showing continued momentum in existing condominium sales. Existing condominium transactions rose 3.1% year-on-year to 3,343 units, extending the growth streak to 15 months. Chart provided by REINS, edited by Patience Realty. By GTA prefecture, Tokyo recorded 1,752 transactions (down 0.4%), Saitama 397

Tokyu Land Corporation has announced the launch of a new bespoke culinary service, “MY GRAND CHEF for BRANZ,” designed exclusively for residents of its luxury BRANZ condominium brand. Developed in partnership with kitchenware manufacturer KAI Corporation, the service aims to enhance residential lifestyle value by bringing professional chefs directly into condominium common spaces. Chat GPT Plus AI enhanced image from Tokyu Land Corporation press release .  Enhancement needed

Mitsubishi Estate and Mitsubishi Estate Hotels & Resorts have announced their entry into the apartment hotel segment, launching a new brand aimed at accommodating multi-night stays rather than short overnight visits. The companies will debut the brand, WAYPOINT, with the first property opening on April 1 in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, following the renovation of an existing facility. The official website went live on February 2nd and is now accepting reservations. Waypoint Tsukiji ent

Japan’s first two-story home built using a 3D (three-dimensional) printer was completed in Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture, in November 2025, marking a milestone for the domestic construction industry. With condominium and single-family home prices rising and labor shortages worsening, the project is drawing attention as a potential model for faster, more efficient housing - particularly in depopulated areas. Photo courtesy of Kizuki K.K. press release, linked at the bottom

Japan real estate property portal AtHome on February 4th released its AtHome Rental Station Ranking - Tokyo 23 Wards Edition, which identifies train stations generating the highest page views for residential rental listings posted on the AtHome property website. The survey covered the period from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025. In the overall ranking, Sangenjaya Station topped the list. The station, served by the Tokyu Den-en-toshi and Setagaya lines and designated as an express sto

On February 3rd, the Nikkei Shimbun wrote that the pace of population concentration in Tokyo is slowing. Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, also on the 3rd, that Tokyo’s net in-migration fell in 2025 for the first time in four years, signaling a potential shift after years of steady inflows into the capital. Tokyo posted a net in-migration of 65,219 people in 2025, down 14,066 from the previous year. Net inflows into the city’s 23 wards fell more sharply

On January 28 th Richard Yetsenga of ANZ spoke with CNBC’s Squawk Box Asia, laying out why talk of yen intervention continues to ripple through markets, how investor confidence is being tested by Japan’s fiscal trajectory, and why monetary tightening now feels less a matter of “if” and more a matter of “when.” Topics Covered Persistent talk of yen intervention is shaping market psychology, even as policy fundamentals suggest sustained action remains unlikely. Japan’s currenc

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) announced on January 30th updated 2025 full-year and December 2025 monthly housing starts statistics. The number of housing starts nationwide in 2025 totaled 740,667 units, down 6.5%, marking the third consecutive annual decline. Total floor area of housing starts fell 6.6% to 56.89 million square meters, extending its decline to a fourth straight year. Breakdown by Ownership Type By category, all segments rec