The “SUUMO 2024 Most Desirable Places to Live” ranking has been released, showing a significant shift in preferences among residents in the Greater Tokyo Area, which includes Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, and Ibaraki Prefectures. Remarkably, the top two spots are now held by cities outside of Tokyo. This year, Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture has been…

For those planning to build new homes, you might have heard about the upcoming mandate on solar panel installation. Starting April 2025, Tokyo will implement a new regulation requiring solar panels on newly constructed homes. What Is the Mandatory Solar Panel Installation? Starting in April 2025, Tokyo will require installing solar panels on all new…

If you’re a foreigner living and working in Japan, understanding the residence tax is key to managing your finances and avoiding any complications. This article will walk you through the basics of residence tax, including who needs to pay it and how it’s calculated. What is Residence Tax? Residence tax is a local tax paid…

Real estate appraisals and assessments are critical tools used in determining property values, but they serve different purposes and follow different processes. Whether you’re planning to sell a property, settling an inheritance, or considering property investment in Japan, understanding these differences is essential. This article explores everything you need to know about real estate appraisals…