30 stories
A landlord’s guide to Japan’s tenant move-out process (tachinoki): when legitimate grounds (seitō jiyū) support a request to vacate, how to draft the notice, how negotiation and move-out compensation typically work, and what international investors should know about the Act on Land and Building Leases.
Can you renovate or DIY in a Japanese rental? A property-management view on getting landlord permission, why written agreements matter, restoration risks, typical cost splits, and easy-to-restore DIY ideas — explained for international owners and tenants navigating Japan's unique genjo kaifuku rules.
In Japan, a rent increase at lease renewal is not final until the tenant agrees. Here is how the Act on Land and Building Leases protects tenants, how to research comparable rents, and where to turn if talks break down.
A complete guide to negotiating tenant relocation (tachinoki-ryo) before rebuilding a rental apartment in Japan — when a rebuild makes sense, typical compensation ranges, the legal background under Japan’s tenant-protection law, the negotiation process, and how to handle refusals, from INA’s perspective.
In Japan, handling rent arrears means working through a fixed sequence — reminder, written demand, naiyō-shōmei certified mail, a claim against the guarantee company or joint guarantor, and only then legal proceedings — rather than the faster self-help remedies familiar to many Western landlords. This guide explains how naiyō-shōmei yūbin works, how to draft one, why to pair it with a certificate of delivery, how Japan's statute of limitations on rent claims operates, and why self-help evictions are a serious legal risk, from a Japanese property-management practitioner's perspective.
A guide for Japanese-property owners to genjō kaifuku (原状回復): how cost-sharing, depreciation, and typical restoration prices actually work, with USD conversions and dispute-prevention practices for overseas landlords.
A practical guide to Japan's akiya renovation investment: the yield advantage over new construction, how to calculate true net yield, strategy by property type, where to find vacant houses, the legal checks that matter (road frontage, seismic standards), and how to plan renovation costs and financing.
This is an article that explains the mortgage loan for purchasing a house in Japan where you or your relatives live. With Japanese home loans, the applicable interest rate is calculated by subtracting the amount of reduction according to th
This is an article that explains the mortgage loan for purchasing a house in Japan where you or your relatives live. With Japanese home loans, the applicable interest rate is calculated by subtracting the amount of reduction according to th
A comparison of Japan’s two main small-lot property vehicles — the silent partnership (TK) and the voluntary partnership (NK) — covering how each works, their advantages and drawbacks, and how to choose between them from the standpoint of the Real Estate Specified Joint Enterprise Act, tax planning, and risk management.
Inheriting real estate in Japan often turns into family conflict, even in ordinary households. This guide explains the distinct roles of judicial scriveners, tax accountants, and attorneys, when to consult each, fee benchmarks, and Japan's 2024 mandatory inheritance registration law.
A shintaku-guchi kōza is Japan’s dedicated bank account for a family trust, keeping assets protected even if the trustee dies or goes bankrupt. Here is an expert guide to how it differs from a trust-purpose account, plus the requirements, procedure, and cost of opening one.
A guide to what landlords in Japan need to know about evicting a tenant — the legitimate grounds required, how to give proper notice, how to negotiate, when to bring in a lawyer, and what belongs in a settlement agreement.
In Japan, planning an office relocation must start six months in advance. Here’s how to choose a specialist vendor that handles LAN wiring and confidential-document disposal, and how to manage the full cost of the move.
Japan's shikikin deposit is a statutory right, not a landlord courtesy. Learn the legal basis, the 5-year statute of limitations, and the three-step escalation path from a verbal request to certified mail to small-claims court.
A guide to Japan's genjō-kaifuku restoration rules for residential and commercial leases — cost-sharing standards, common disputes, and how the framework compares to Western security-deposit norms.
Is it true that leasing out land in Japan means you can never get it back? This guide compares futsū shakuchi (ordinary land leases) and teiki shakuchi (fixed-term land leases), weighs the pros and cons against Western ground-lease norms, and shows international investors how to avoid disputes.
Electronic contracts for real estate purchases were enabled by the 2022 legal reform. INA’s representative explains, from a practical perspective, how to handle web-based important matter explanations, the timing of electronic signatures, powers of attorney for pair loans, and scheduling gaps in loan agreements.
Lawyers and tax accountants in the network analyze the latest real estate case law and the practical points that require attention.
![How Japan's FY2026 Tax Reform Affects Real Estate Investment [2026 Edition]](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1554224155-6726b3ff858f?w=1200&h=800&fit=crop)
Japan's FY2026 tax reform resets the ground rules for inheritance planning, income filing, and home acquisition in real estate. The central issue is the revised inheritance tax valuation of leased real estate (the "five-year rule"), effective January 2027. For overseas investors, we explain Japan-specific mechanisms with no US or UK equivalent -- the valuation gap under the Property Valuation Basic Directive, the "blue return" filing system, and low-value asset expensing -- drawing on primary sources from Japan's Ministry of Finance (MOF) and MLIT.
Gentrification—the displacement of residents through urban redevelopment—is advancing in Japan. Learn about cases in Kyoto, Osaka, and Shimokitazawa, and the rights conversion manipulation revealed in Nihonbashi redevelopment. What are the rights conversion risks that ultra-high-net-worth investors need to know?
A complete guide to burst water pipes in rental properties: causes, emergency response, repair costs, and who is responsible. Learn about insurance and water rate reduction programs.
After the policy rate rose to 0.75%, mortgage demand cooled while foreign buyers kept going. The gap between end-user and investment demand, and what owners should do.
An analysis of the turning point in construction industry policy based on MLIT's April 2026 report. We break down the impact on talent, management, DX, and CCUS for property owners.
The Watanabedori 2-Chome Project is not simply a plan to add new office floor space in central Fukuoka, Japan. It is a redevelopment approved by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, or MLIT (国土交通省 / Kokudo Kotsus
Practical points when managing rental properties for foreign owners. Explanation of items that management companies should keep in mind, including selection of a tax agent, notification of the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act, registration of domestic contacts, and handling of management fees and reserve funds for repairs.
Explanation of procedures required when foreigners buy or sell real estate in Japan. Includes alternative documents for residence certificates and seal registration certificates, precautions for real estate registration, Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act notifications, and handling of various taxes.
A real estate professional explains the 13 key points to check in the important matters explanation before buying a condominium. Covers registration details, management bylaws, repair reserve funds, contract cancellation conditions, and mortgage precautions.
Learn about Japan's notorious land fraud schemes: how fraudsters operate, real-world case studies, and five essential defenses to protect yourself in real estate transactions.
Learn the essentials of real estate management consignment contracts, including scope of services, fees, and key points to ensure a smooth agreement.