Get the latest intelligence direct to your inbox.

New land-price data released by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) on September 16th shows that Rapidus is already reshaping the property market in Chitose, Hokkaido, more than a year before the semiconductor manufacturer plans to begin mass production. A lone paddler on Lake Shikotsu, Chitose-shi in beautiful autumn light. Photo by Hendrik Morkel on Unsplash The annual Prefectural Land Price Survey estimates the market value of designated

Niseko Town will switch to a percentage-based accommodation tax on November 1, 2026, highlighting how Japan’s leading international ski destinations are turning visitor taxes into a funding source for the infrastructure and public services that tourism growth requires. Under the revised system, Niseko’s municipal tax and Hokkaido’s prefectural accommodation tax will together equal 3% of the accommodation charge. Hokkaido’s portion remains a fixed ¥100, ¥200 or ¥500 per person

The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate 25 basis points to 1.25% on September 18th, taking borrowing costs to their highest level in 31 years. The significance extends well beyond Japanese interest rates. With the yen having traded at levels not seen since the 1980s, Bloomberg’s video below provides useful background on why Japan’s currency has become an issue for households, global investors and even the US Treasury. With today’s hike now delivered, it also helps explain wh

Japan’s ski and mountain resorts account for an unusually large share of the country’s fastest-rising residential land in 2026, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s (MLIT) Prefectural Land Price Survey. Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash Five of Japan’s 10 fastest-rising residential benchmarks were in four resort markets: Furano, Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen and Myoko. Their increases were many times the 1.0% year-on-year (YoY) rise in Japan’s na

Japan's most detailed official analysis yet of condominium ownership registrations finds non-resident buying concentrated in some central urban markets and elevated short-term resales in some large developments. But the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) found no particular tendency for non-resident buyers to disproportionately purchase or quickly resell JPY 200 million-plus new condominiums in Tokyo's central six wards. Japan now has much better c