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Applications and lending under Japan’s Flat 35 fixed-rate mortgage program increased sharply in the April to June 2026 quarter, according to preliminary figures released by the Japan Housing Finance Agency on July 31st. Applications totaled 14,900, up 14.6% year on year. Funded loans rose 24.3% to 9,634, while their combined value increased 31.4% to ¥324.9 billion. The value of lending grew faster than the number of funded loans. However, the agency did not speculate on what

Resale condominium discounts in Greater Tokyo widened to more than 6% in 2025, even as average prices rose and homes sold faster. The figures point to a more selective market rather than a broad downturn. Homes priced close to buyer expectations continued to sell quickly. Listings launched at ambitious prices were more likely to require deeper reductions, especially after several months on the market. Key Points: Average discounts widened to 6.14% in the first half of 2025 an

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has issued new guidelines explaining how existing real estate law applies when homeowners sell their property and remain in it as tenants. Photo by Signature Pro on Unsplash The guidelines take effect on October 1, 2026. They are intended to address complaints involving unclear lease terms, high rents, costly cancellation provisions and aggressive approaches to homeowners, particularly older people. What is a res

HSBC’s Daragh Maher explains why Bank of Japan rate hikes may do little to strengthen the yen, even as inflation keeps pressure on policymakers to act. Speaking on Bloomberg Surveillance on July 23, he also outlined what would need to go wrong in the US economy for the dollar to weaken and why higher European Central Bank rates may not be enough to support the euro. Key points: Maher is deeply skeptical that Bank of Japan policy alone can generate sustained yen strength. He e

Almost half of Japan’s newly built single-family homes now meet the government’s Long-Term Quality Housing standard, but the certification remains virtually absent from the existing housing market. Key Points: 49.8% of new single-family housing starts received certification in fiscal 2025, up from 31.3% two years earlier. Adoption among multifamily homes remained low at 2.4%. Only 127 existing homes received certification during the year. Certification provides an official qu