On September 5, 2024, Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL) released its latest “Transparency Survey,” evaluating information disclosure in real estate markets around the world. The survey assesses various metrics, including market data availability, transaction transparency, and environmental sustainability, all on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1.00 being the highest score). Japan, ranking 11th globally,…

In recent data from the global real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle, the Tokyo Metropolitan area has emerged as the top city globally for real estate investment. The figures for the first half of 2024 reveal a 19% increase from the previous year, totaling $11.02 billion. This growth places Tokyo ahead of major cities like…

Early this August, the Japanese stock market faced significant losses following the Bank of Japan’s decision to raise interest rates. This move coincided with the yen reaching its weakest point in over 37 years, exacerbating market volatility amid global concerns about the US economy. Despite the widespread distress caused by the sudden yen appreciation, Japanese…

It comes as a surprise to many that renting a property in Japan often requires a non-refundable deposit known as ‘key money’ or reikin (礼金). This practice, deeply entrenched in Japanese real estate traditions, has endured through the years and remains prevalent today. But what exactly is key money, and why does this tradition continue…