Chinese Investors Shift Focus to Residential Property

Feb 14, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - The purpose behind Chinese purchases of Japanese real estate is evolving. We delved into the phenomenon of Chinese wealthy individuals buying up condominiums for residential purposes.

From "Pilgrimage" Crowds to Proposals at Mount Fuji

During the Chinese New Year, many Chinese tourists visit Japan, including Kamakura's crossing, made famous by the anime "Slam Dunk." The site has become a "pilgrimage" spot for Chinese tourists.

One couple, traveling in Japan for the Chinese New Year, got engaged at the foot of Mount Fuji, inspired by a famous Chinese song about the iconic mountain.

Purchasing a ¥160 Million Condo for Residence, Not Investment

In this era of unique personal travel, we encountered Mr. Li, a Shanghai-based e-commerce entrepreneur, who came to Tokyo with his family to look for a luxury condo. They quickly decided on a 2LDK, 72 square meter condo priced at ¥160 million, finding it reasonably priced and conveniently located near JR Suidobashi Station.

Contrary to expectations of investment-driven purchases, Mr. Li bought the condo for residential purposes, planning to split his time between Shanghai and Tokyo. He is also considering obtaining permanent residency in Japan and potentially relocating his business to the country.

"I Want to Live in Japan" - Attracted by Stability

Similarly, Ms. Shi, a Hong Kong-based investment consultant originally from Shanghai, purchased a 3LDK, 92 square meter condo in Nishi-Shinjuku for ¥180 million. Fluent in Japanese from her student days in Japan, she plans to eventually return and live in Japan, attracted by the country's economic and social stability.

The Trend of Buying for Residency Accelerates in Recent Years

The real estate company YAK in Ueno, Tokyo, which facilitated these transactions, reports that 80% of its clients are foreigners, predominantly Chinese. The trend of Chinese individuals buying condos in Japan for residency purposes has accelerated in recent years.

Professor Tomoko Ako from the University of Tokyo explains that the uncertain economic situation in China and concerns about the future of national governance are driving wealthy Chinese to establish bases outside China, not just for investment but for personal use in case of emergencies.

Source: ANN

Typhoon 31 Intensifies Over Pacific as Forecast Shifts Toward Japan

Typhoon No. 31 remained a very strong storm over the western Pacific as of 3 p.m. Japan time on October 27, with forecasts indicating that it could approach Japan's Ogasawara Islands around November 1, bringing potentially violent winds, dangerous waves and disruptions to maritime transportation, while uncertainty over its northward turn raised concerns about prolonged storm conditions.

Japan Faces Further Travel Disruption as Storm Moves East

Travel disruption continued into Tuesday, October 27, as Japan began recovering from heavy rain and rough seas caused by the remnants of Typhoon No. 30, with ferry cancellations confirmed in Nagasaki Prefecture and railway operators monitoring the effects of overnight rainfall in central and eastern Japan.

Controversial Penalty Decision Ends Tokyo High School Soccer Match

A controversial penalty shootout decision during the Tokyo qualifiers for Japan's National High School Soccer Championship on October 24 has sparked debate after a team that believed it had secured victory was forced to continue playing and eventually lost, raising questions about whether a hole in the goal net contributed to an incorrect ruling.

Kanagawa Maglev Station Platform Unveiled for First Time

The underground platform of the planned Kanagawa Prefecture Station on Japan's Chuo Shinkansen maglev line was opened to the public for the first time on October 24, offering visitors a rare glimpse of the high-speed railway project under construction in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, with demand for the tour exceeding available places by approximately 12 times.

Japan's Terra Drone Supplies Weapons to Ukraine as Russia Warns of Retaliation

Japanese drone manufacturer Terra Drone has delivered interceptor drones to Ukraine's Ministry of Defense for the first time, prompting Russia to threaten retaliatory measures on October 21, as Japan considers expanding domestic drone production and strengthening its coastal defenses through thousands of unmanned aircraft.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Nikkei Jumps More Than 1,000 Points on Renewed AI Optimism

Japan's benchmark Nikkei Stock Average rebounded sharply on October 27, 2026, closing at 63,232.37, up 1,042.72 points, or 1.68%, at 3 p.m. Japan time, as semiconductor-related shares rallied following gains on Wall Street and renewed optimism about artificial intelligence investment, ending a three-session losing streak that had pushed the index to its lowest level in nearly three months.

GMO Refuses to Pay $50 Million Cyberattack Ransom

GMO Internet Group President Masatoshi Kumagai revealed that attackers responsible for unauthorized access to servers used for foreign exchange trading and other services had demanded $50 million, equivalent to approximately 7.9 billion yen, with the company refusing to comply.

Tokyo Stocks Fall for Third Day as Semiconductor Selling Continues

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average extended its decline for a third consecutive trading session on Monday, October 26, as selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares continued to weigh on the market, while energy companies attracted buying interest following a surge in global oil prices.

Don Quijote Launches Discount Supermarket Robin Hood

Japan's major retailers are experimenting with new store formats as rising living costs drive demand for cheaper groceries and changing consumer habits force companies to seek new sources of growth, with Don Quijote launching its food-focused Robin Hood discount chain and FamilyMart opening a next-generation flagship store combining convenience shopping with fashion, lifestyle goods and exclusive products.

Nikkei Plunges 1,713 Points as AI Sell-Off Deepens

Japan's financial markets suffered another sharp setback on October 22 as heavy selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related stocks sent the Nikkei 225 down 1,713.40 points, or 2.65%, to 62,907.84, its lowest closing level since July 30.

Japan's Trade Deficit Doubles as Oil Prices Surge

Japan's trade deficit nearly doubled in the first half of fiscal 2026 to 2.8184 trillion yen, driven largely by surging crude oil prices following turmoil in the Middle East, while the value of oil imports from the United States increased nearly ninefold as Japan sought alternative sources of supply.

Cyberattacks Hit Japanese Police and Businesses

A growing wave of cyberattacks across Japan has raised concerns over the possible use of Chinese-developed artificial intelligence in hacking operations, with personal information belonging to tens of thousands of police employees potentially exposed and major companies forced to suspend online services, while cybersecurity experts warn that slow decision-making within Japanese organizations is allowing damage to spread.

Japan Stocks Rebound 546 Points as Export Growth Supports Market

Tokyo stocks rebounded on October 21, with the Nikkei 225 closing 545.82 points higher at 64,621.24, a gain of 0.85%, as stronger U.S. equities, renewed buying in technology shares and encouraging Japanese export figures helped the market recover from two consecutive sessions of losses.

< 2 3 4 5 >