Japan to require nationality information on real estate ownership records
- Adam German
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
On December 16th, Japan’s Ministry of Justice announced that individuals acquiring real estate - such as land or buildings - will be required to disclose their nationality according to the Nikkei Shimbun.
The information will be collected at the time of ownership transfer registration, including sales and inheritances, enabling the government to better track the nationalities of property owners.
Following a public comment period, the ministry plans to revise the relevant ministerial ordinance within the current fiscal year and begin implementation in fiscal 2026.
A new field for nationality will be added to real estate registration application forms. Applicants will also be required to submit identification documents that verify nationality, such as a passport or resident certificate.
Japanese nationals will also be subject to the new requirement.
Nationality information will be retained as internal data and will not be recorded in the official property registry, out of consideration for personal privacy.
Property registries can be viewed by the public upon application at Legal Affairs Bureau offices.
The Digital Agency plans to establish a government-wide database for sharing nationality information as early as fiscal 2027, making use of the “Real Estate Base Registry” it oversees.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed relevant ministers at a cabinet-level meeting in November to ensure nationality information is collected at the time of ownership transfer registration and to utilize centralized databases.
The Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party stated in their coalition agreement that they will draft legislation during the 2026 regular Diet session to strengthen regulations on land acquisitions by foreign individuals and foreign capital.
The new disclosure requirements are intended to clarify the realities of real estate transactions and serve as a foundation for tighter regulation.
Source:
Nikkei Shimbun (Japanese only; paywalled)
