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Speaking to CNBC’s Squawk Box Asia on April 1, 2026, Stefan Angrick, senior economist at Moody’s Analytics, said resilient business sentiment and strong corporate profits continue to support Japan’s economic backdrop, but warned that weak domestic demand, uneven wage growth, and rising geopolitical tensions could complicate the path toward further interest rate hikes. Click the screen-grab above or click here to watch the segment on CNBC’s website. Key Topics Covered Japan’s

International start-up companies are increasingly turning their attention to Japan, where Tokyo’s innovation scene and the country’s evolving social challenges are creating new opportunities for global entrepreneurs. From AI-driven technology demonstrations in Tokyo to pilot projects addressing elderly care in regional communities, Japan is becoming an appealing testing ground for international startups. Why does this matter to real estate? With Japan’s population declining,

Sumitomo Forestry and Rengo announced on April 1st the establishment of RS Wood Refinery, a joint venture that will produce bioethanol, a feedstock used in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), using wood-based construction waste generated in Japan. RS Wood Refinery will manufacture and sell bioethanol using construction byproducts such as wood waste generated during housing construction, renovation, and demolition projects within the Sumitomo Forestry Group. Production will take

Japan’s rental housing market continues to tighten, particularly in the capital, as new data shows rents across Tokyo reaching fresh highs. According to the latest market report from LIFULL, operator of the major Japanese property portal LIFULL HOME'S, both family-type and single-occupant rental listings climbed sharply in February 2026, with central Tokyo leading the increase. The data highlights a growing imbalance in the Tokyo rental market: landlords are raising listing

Longer mortgage repayment periods are becoming increasingly common in Japan, with 50-year housing loan terms emerging as the most widely offered option among lenders, according to a new survey by the Japan Housing Finance Agency (JHF). The findings suggest financial institutions are expanding longer-term loan products to keep monthly payments manageable for borrowers amid rising housing costs and changing demographic conditions. Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash The JH