In recent years, Japan's real estate market has attracted a large number of foreign investors due to the depreciation of the yen and a low Interest Rate environment, especially buyers from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other regions. As a result, housing prices in popular areas such as Tokyo, Hokkaido, Osaka, and Kyoto have risen, particularly in some tourist destinations (like Niseko in Hokkaido and Hakone) and upscale residential areas. This phenomenon has led local residents to feel that housing prices are being pushed up, affecting their purchasing ability, with some pointing fingers at foreign buyers and claiming that Japan's home buying system is too lenient.
Housing prices in Japan continue to pump, with foreign buyers being pointed at.
According to a report by Bloomberg, in Tokyo, the average price of new apartments has exceeded 100 million yen (700,000 USD) for two consecutive years. In the most central areas, the price of a 70 square meter (, approximately 21 tsubo ), second-hand apartment has doubled since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a pace of increase that is almost unheard of in a market that was once synonymous with flat prices.
Some Japanese politicians and the public are concerned that foreign individuals (, especially Chinese investors ), purchasing real estate in large quantities may pose a threat to national security or economic stability. For example, in May 2025, Senator Yoshikawa suggested that foreign investment drives up housing prices, making it difficult for local residents to afford, and called for a re-examination of land purchase regulations, citing "reciprocity" as an example, pointing out that China does not allow foreigners to purchase land, and Japan should consider similar restrictions.
This kind of prosperity highlights how easy it is for outsiders to purchase property here. In fact, the lack of restrictions or even deterrents is almost absurd. This is becoming a political issue.
Chinese buyers have become the focus of attention
In Japan, real estate transactions do not require the preservation of buyers' nationality records. However, a recent survey conducted by Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation showed that 20% to 40% of new apartments in central Tokyo are purchased by foreigners.
Surprisingly, even in sensitive areas near military bases or nuclear power plants, Japan does not restrict purchases by foreign buyers, and buyers do not even have to reside in Japan, nor do they need to pay additional taxes or stamp duties; purchasing a second home or vacation property also does not require the payment of extra taxes.
More and more people are starting to pay attention to foreign buyers, especially wealthy individuals from China, who wish to store their funds in a safe place and are attracted by Japan's political stability and social security. In recent weeks, legislators and commentators have been raising concerns in parliament and the media about the lack of restrictions on property.
(Chinese people invest 5 million yen in guesthouses to obtain residency rights, is Osaka's Nishinari slum becoming a new immigrant paradise? )
Chinese people cannot buy land in China, but buying a house in Japan offers better value for money.
According to reports from The Epoch Times, due to the weak yen and the Japanese government's relaxation of visa requirements, along with China's tightening domestic control and the continuous weakness of the Chinese economy, many wealthy and middle-class Chinese are "润" to Japan to purchase real estate. By 2026, the number of Chinese living in Japan is expected to exceed 1 million. Those Chinese immigrants who choose Japan are often wealthy individuals or highly educated people attracted by Japan's easy lifestyle, rich culture, and immigration policies favorable to skilled professionals.
On major real estate websites in China, there is a large amount of information about Japanese properties for sale, including resorts and long-established hotels.
Chinese businessman Sun Zhimin said:
"Chinese people cannot buy land in China, but in Japan, even Chinese people can buy land. The prices of real estate in Japan are 10% to 20% cheaper than in China, where you only obtain land use rights (. If you want to make a long-term investment, Japan is the best choice."
Data shows that Chinese people are the largest group among new immigrants in Japan, with 822,000 Chinese immigrants among over 3 million foreigners residing in Japan last year. This figure is higher than 762,000 a year ago and 649,000 ten years ago.
In some areas, foreign investors purchase properties and convert them into vacation rentals (like Airbnb) or commercial uses, altering the living environment of the local community. For example, residents in Furano, Hokkaido, have reported a decrease in single-family homes and an increase in luxury apartments, with many locals leaving after selling their homes at high prices, thus changing the community structure. This phenomenon of "hotelization" has caused dissatisfaction among some residents, who believe that foreign buyers are disrupting the tranquility and traditions of the community.
This article discusses how Japan's laws are too lenient, causing a frenzy among Chinese people to drive up housing prices, which has sparked controversy. It first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.
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Japanese laws are too lenient, leading to controversies as Chinese people rush to buy and drive up housing prices.
In recent years, Japan's real estate market has attracted a large number of foreign investors due to the depreciation of the yen and a low Interest Rate environment, especially buyers from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other regions. As a result, housing prices in popular areas such as Tokyo, Hokkaido, Osaka, and Kyoto have risen, particularly in some tourist destinations (like Niseko in Hokkaido and Hakone) and upscale residential areas. This phenomenon has led local residents to feel that housing prices are being pushed up, affecting their purchasing ability, with some pointing fingers at foreign buyers and claiming that Japan's home buying system is too lenient.
Housing prices in Japan continue to pump, with foreign buyers being pointed at.
According to a report by Bloomberg, in Tokyo, the average price of new apartments has exceeded 100 million yen (700,000 USD) for two consecutive years. In the most central areas, the price of a 70 square meter (, approximately 21 tsubo ), second-hand apartment has doubled since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a pace of increase that is almost unheard of in a market that was once synonymous with flat prices.
Some Japanese politicians and the public are concerned that foreign individuals (, especially Chinese investors ), purchasing real estate in large quantities may pose a threat to national security or economic stability. For example, in May 2025, Senator Yoshikawa suggested that foreign investment drives up housing prices, making it difficult for local residents to afford, and called for a re-examination of land purchase regulations, citing "reciprocity" as an example, pointing out that China does not allow foreigners to purchase land, and Japan should consider similar restrictions.
This kind of prosperity highlights how easy it is for outsiders to purchase property here. In fact, the lack of restrictions or even deterrents is almost absurd. This is becoming a political issue.
Chinese buyers have become the focus of attention
In Japan, real estate transactions do not require the preservation of buyers' nationality records. However, a recent survey conducted by Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation showed that 20% to 40% of new apartments in central Tokyo are purchased by foreigners.
Surprisingly, even in sensitive areas near military bases or nuclear power plants, Japan does not restrict purchases by foreign buyers, and buyers do not even have to reside in Japan, nor do they need to pay additional taxes or stamp duties; purchasing a second home or vacation property also does not require the payment of extra taxes.
More and more people are starting to pay attention to foreign buyers, especially wealthy individuals from China, who wish to store their funds in a safe place and are attracted by Japan's political stability and social security. In recent weeks, legislators and commentators have been raising concerns in parliament and the media about the lack of restrictions on property.
(Chinese people invest 5 million yen in guesthouses to obtain residency rights, is Osaka's Nishinari slum becoming a new immigrant paradise? )
Chinese people cannot buy land in China, but buying a house in Japan offers better value for money.
According to reports from The Epoch Times, due to the weak yen and the Japanese government's relaxation of visa requirements, along with China's tightening domestic control and the continuous weakness of the Chinese economy, many wealthy and middle-class Chinese are "润" to Japan to purchase real estate. By 2026, the number of Chinese living in Japan is expected to exceed 1 million. Those Chinese immigrants who choose Japan are often wealthy individuals or highly educated people attracted by Japan's easy lifestyle, rich culture, and immigration policies favorable to skilled professionals.
On major real estate websites in China, there is a large amount of information about Japanese properties for sale, including resorts and long-established hotels.
Chinese businessman Sun Zhimin said:
"Chinese people cannot buy land in China, but in Japan, even Chinese people can buy land. The prices of real estate in Japan are 10% to 20% cheaper than in China, where you only obtain land use rights (. If you want to make a long-term investment, Japan is the best choice."
Data shows that Chinese people are the largest group among new immigrants in Japan, with 822,000 Chinese immigrants among over 3 million foreigners residing in Japan last year. This figure is higher than 762,000 a year ago and 649,000 ten years ago.
In some areas, foreign investors purchase properties and convert them into vacation rentals (like Airbnb) or commercial uses, altering the living environment of the local community. For example, residents in Furano, Hokkaido, have reported a decrease in single-family homes and an increase in luxury apartments, with many locals leaving after selling their homes at high prices, thus changing the community structure. This phenomenon of "hotelization" has caused dissatisfaction among some residents, who believe that foreign buyers are disrupting the tranquility and traditions of the community.
This article discusses how Japan's laws are too lenient, causing a frenzy among Chinese people to drive up housing prices, which has sparked controversy. It first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.