Daily Archives: 2024-07-10

I believe that Japan is the first choice for many people abroad! Although it is only 2,164 kilometers away from Taiwan, the lifestyle is very different, but there of course also includes the housing agenda that everyone is paying attention to! Today we will introduce the form of Japanese houses, the structure of Japanese houses, and the earthquake resistance of Japanese houses. By the way, I would like to share an episode of renting a house in Japan myself. If you want to buy a house in Japan or rent a house, let’s go to Naibun together and have a deeper understanding of the ecology of Japanese houses!

💡 Edited by: What exactly is LDK, 1LDK, 2LDK that everyone is talking about? What do you think about the structure of Japanese houses? Let’s learn about the meaning of LDK and the eyebrows and corners of Japanese houses together!

What is the form of Japanese houses?

Japanese housing forms can be broadly divided into three types: small condominiums (apartments), general condominiums (condominiums), and single-family houses (single-family houses). Among them, Japanese architectural structures are broadly divided into two types: wooden construction (wooden construction) and reinforced concrete construction (reinforced concrete).

Japanese housing form: small apartment (apartment)

Many small apartments are built using wood and light reinforcement. Due to the materials, the floor plan is relatively low, usually the height does not exceed the third floor, and basically there is no elevator! Small condominiums are wooden buildings, so their soundproofing is inferior to that of general condominiums. In terms of circulation, wooden houses are difficult to dissipate heat in summer and store heat in winter.

I lived in a small wooden apartment for 5 years, and not only was I woken up by the alarm clock next door on time every day, but I think the air conditioning and heating took care of me all day in summer and winter! 💡 Edited by: I lived in a small wooden apartment for 5 years.

Japanese housing type: General condominium (condominium)

Typical condominiums are built with strong reinforcement or concrete, which is sturdier than wooden buildings, and the floor plan is higher than that of smaller condominiums. In addition, soundproofing and heat storage are better than small apartments. A typical apartment is different from a small apartment and has an elevator! In addition, small apartments usually do not have door locks, and there are many places where everyone can enter and exit. Compared to that, the security management of general apartments is also relatively strict!

Japanese housing form: single-family house (single-family house)

Single-family houses, often seen on Japanese housing sites, have single-family buildings and land, and some single-family houses can have their own gardens and gardens, which can be said to be the main form of housing for Japanese people today.

💡 Edited by: My holiday leisure pastime is hanging around one building near my house, and I can only say that the details and style of each house are very different! I also observed that Japanese houses are designed to raise the fence of the parking shelf to save space! Next time you get a chance, be careful!

Let me add more to you! Japanese residential buildings, whether small condominiums or general condominiums, do not have managers! There are no security measures except that a sensor key may be required in a typical apartment, which is very different compared to Taiwan!

Japanese housing patterns? Meaning of LDK?

You often see English and numbers written on Japanese rental housing websites and home purchase websites. For example: 1R, 1K, 1DK, 2LDK, etc. Will readers think about the meaning of LDK? What the hell are these English and numbers?

Actually, these English alphabets represent different house structures!Let’s first unravel the meaning of LDK for readers!

• R: Bedroom
• K: Kitchen
• D: Dining Room Restaurant
• L: Living Room
• S: A service room is a room without windows. In Japanese, it is called nado, which means warehouse space.

The number displayed at the front represents the number of rooms in the house. Here is an example:

• 1R = 1 room, no partition between kitchen and room.
• 1K = 1 room, there is a plot between the kitchen and the room.
• 1DK = 1 room, dining room and kitchen.
• In addition to 1LDK = 1DK, a living room has been added.
• 2LDK/3LDK = 2 rooms and 2 halls, 3 rooms and 2 halls.

Also, since tatami is often used to calculate the size of a room in Japan, the quantifier is chao/tatami, which is different from tsubo used in Taiwan. Normally, the size of one tatami is 90 × 180 cm, and two tatami tatami is about 1 tsubo. This unique measurement method gives you more reliable data on the area of your home, taking into account the actual use space of the room!

💡 Extended reading > > > How big is a square meter? How many square meters is 1 tsubo equal to? Tsubo conversion formula? Housing area units by country?

Are Japanese houses earthquake-resistant?

Japan is considered to be one of the countries with the largest amount of earthquakes in the world, and when people walk the streets of Japan, they often see large seismic isolation and earthquake-resistant signs hanging on newly built buildings. Masu. So do Japanese houses withstand earthquakes? The architectural models of Japanese houses for earthquakes are divided into three types: earthquake-resistant, earthquake-controlled, and seismic-isolated RC buildings:

Japanese Housing Construction Model: Earthquake Resistance

An earthquake-resistant building is a building model that can sufficiently withstand earthquakes by strengthening the columns and beams of the building itself. During an earthquake, the house does not absorb shaking, and the seismic intensity reacts directly to the house. This structure is relatively inexpensive, relatively easy to maintain, and it is not afraid of wind blowing and resistant to strong winds. It really is literal patience!

However, to put it in vernacular, this structure can withstand and resist earthquakes. The more earthquakes there are, the more damage the house will be and the weaker the earthquake resistance will be, so if it is an earthquake-resistant building with an older family, you must be especially careful! Also, earthquake-resistant architecture is currently the most common and oldest architectural structure in Japanese housing!

Japanese Housing Construction Model: Earthquake System

In earthquake control architecture, many seismic control devices called dampers are installed in buildings. This vibration control device not only absorbs and mitigates vibrations, but also reduces the width of the shaking and relatively reduces the damage to the main body of the building. In general, the higher the building is, the greater the feeling of shaking, but if you install a seismic control device, the higher the building is, the greater the seismic intensity! In addition, there are a wide variety of models of earthquake control devices (dampers), so they can be skillfully used in earthquake-resistant buildings, and repair and maintenance are relatively easy!

💡 Edit: Tokyo Skytree in Japan Tokyo Skytree and the familiar Taipei 101 use earthquake control structures!

Japanese residential architecture model: seismic isolation RC building

Seismic isolation buildings are currently the most susceptible to earthquakes and can be said to have many benefits. In the seismic isolation RC, a laminated rubber seismic isolation device is installed under the ground of a building to isolate the propagation of seismic shaking to the building and prevent the building from being affected by seismic shaking. Such buildings are very effective against lateral earthquakes and can reduce the feeling of shaking by about 70-80%! It is said that no matter how big the earthquake is, the furniture in the house will not collapse much! However, seismic isolation houses are built using hard ground and are not connected to the ground, so there are relatively large shaking even on typhoon days.

In addition, the durability of laminated rubber reaches 60 to 80 years, but it has not been confirmed at this time because it has a shorter history of seismic isolation than both seismic resistance and seismic control. However, laminated rubber requires regular inspection and replacement, and the impact of hard and soft ground is also large, so the cost is relatively high and the selling price is also high.

Shibuya’s newest commercial department store “Shibuya Scramble Square Shibuya-scramble” and Marunouchi Station completed in 2012 use seismic isolation technology! 💡 Editor: Shibuya’s newest commercial department store “Shibuya-scramble” and Marunouchi Station, completed in 2012, use seismic isolation technology.

In comparison, every building has its pros and cons, with none particularly good or bad.

💡 Extended reading

• What is the difference between RC, SRC and SC? Is the structure of our building earthquake-resistant? Comprehensive comparison of building structures!
• New provisions of seismic design codes? What is the difference between seismic control, seismic resistance, and seismic isolation? Damper function? What is a pound of cement?

A common noun in Japanese homes!

Readers may not be familiar with Japanese house nouns even after recognizing house shapes, house structures, and earthquake-resistant buildings that are common in Japan. Don’t worry! I will organize all these common nouns for you today, so that you can go on a trip to Japan and stay in a hotel, buy a house in Japan, or go to Japan to study, work, work part-time. By renting a house, you can become more familiar with all Japanese house terms, and when you see a house in Japan in the future, you won’t be able to feel the fog in these nouns!

Common nouns in Japanese houses: Interior drawings

These are words that are often found in interior diagrams, but if you remember these words and rent a house in Japan, you will be fine!

Earthquake disasters have occurred frequently in recent years, and Japan has gained international recognition for its strong crisis management and prevention capabilities, and actively shares its earthquake disaster prevention experience and technology with organizations in other countries. Among them is Taiwan, which belongs to the boundary of the same seismic plate, and the two countries interact with each other to promote the improvement of overall earthquake disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities. I think we in Taiwan are already familiar with information about earthquakes in our own country, but what kind of seismic plates do we have in Japan? Where is Japan’s fault zone? What is the difference between earthquake disaster prevention measures and Taiwan? You’re not sure, are you? Let’s take a look together!

Earthquakes in Japan

Japan is located in the east of the Asian continent and northwest of the Pacific Ocean, located between four plates: the Eurasian Continental Plate, the North American Plate, the Pacific Plate and the Philippine Plate. Its unique geographical location makes Japan’s volcanoes and Japan’s seismic activity frequent. Large and small earthquakes have occurred many times in various parts of Japan since ancient times. In addition to the dangers of earthquakes themselves, tsunamis and volcanic activity caused by earthquakes pose serious life threats to residents and have aroused widespread concern in the international community. Therefore, this article introduces knowledge about earthquakes in Japan and introduces what kind of earthquake-resistant measures Japan currently has!

Before we begin, I will briefly introduce the famous earthquake events that have occurred in various parts of Japan over the past 30 years.

Earthquake in Japan: Great Hanshin Earthquake

The Great Hanshin Earthquake, also known as the Great Kobe Earthquake or the Great Kansai Earthquake, occurred on January 17, 1995 in the Kansai region of Japan. The epicenter was located in the Akashi Strait southwest of Kobe and was an earthquake event with a maximum magnitude of 7.3. The Great Hanshin Earthquake played an important role in Japan’s earthquake history. Many Japanese scholars at the time believed that the probability of a major earthquake occurring in the Kansai region was very low, so the region lacked adequate disaster prevention measures and emergency relief systems. In particular, many traffic routes around Kobe had to pass through tunnels and viaducts. Traffic routes were severely damaged during the earthquake, which greatly affected the speed of search and rescue operations and caused many casualties. Therefore, it can be said that the occurrence of the Great Hanshin Earthquake directly prompted the strengthening of related measures such as earthquake science research, earthquake resistance of urban buildings, and earthquake resistance of transportation.

Earthquakes in Japan: Tohoku Pacific Coast Earthquake (311 Great Earthquake)

The Tohoku Pacific Coast Earthquake, or the 311 Great Earthquake as it is better known to the general public, occurred in the Tohoku Sea of Japan on March 11, 2011. The epicenter was off the Pacific Ocean east of Sendai City, the capital of Miyagi Prefecture, and it was the first earthquake in Japanese history to record a magnitude greater than 9. In addition, the huge tsunami caused by the 311 Earthquake brought a series of more devastating events. These included the famous Fukushima nuclear disaster, which caused a large-scale paralysis of life functions and stagnation of economic activity in Japan, and was at the time the largest natural disaster to hit mainland Japan in decades.

Earthquake in Japan: Kumamoto Earthquake

The Kumamoto Earthquake occurred on Kyushu Island in southwestern Japan on April 16, 2016, with its epicenter in Kumamoto Prefecture in central Kyushu, and had a maximum magnitude of 7. The earthquake collapsed many buildings in Kumamoto Prefecture, damaged traffic roads, fell roof tiles on the castle tower of Kumamoto Castle, an important cultural property, and destroyed the castle walls. After the disaster, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe instructed relevant agencies to quickly grasp the disaster situation, but Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko also canceled their visit to Shizuoka and expressed their condolences to the victims of the disaster in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Earthquake in Japan: Noto Peninsula Earthquake

The Noto Peninsula Earthquake occurred on January 1, 2024 on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture. The earthquake was located 42 kilometers northeast of Anamizu Town, Ishikawa Prefecture. It is the widest range since the Japan Meteorological Agency implemented the Earthquake Early Warning and involves long-term vibrations. Long-term vibrations resonate to higher floors, shaking longer and harder. Long-term vibrations have the characteristic of propagating over long distances, and even prefectures and cities hundreds of kilometers away may be affected. This earthquake caused many buildings to collapse in Ishikawa Prefecture, making it one of the largest earthquakes since 2024.

What’s on a Japanese plate?

Those of us who grew up in Taiwan before knowing the Japan Plate know that Taiwan is an island country located between two plates, the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, and the seismic movement is already very active. But in comparison, Japan is a country that sits between four major plates: the Eurasian Plate, the North American Plate, the Pacific Plate, and the Philippine Sea Plate! For this reason, seismic activity is very frequent in Japan, but what exactly are the relative positions of these plates? Do you have any interesting knowledge again? One by one in this paragraph!

Eurasian Plate

The Eurasian Plate is one of the largest plates in the world, covering most of the Eurasian continent and the Middle East, bordering western Japan. The boundary between the Eurasian plate, the African plate and the Indian plate is an area where earthquakes occur frequently, and the mutual pressure between the plates has also created many different landforms. For example, the Himalayas are the result of the Indian Plate pressing against the Eurasian Plate.

Philippine Sea Plate

The Philippine Sea Plate is a relatively small plate with a distribution area located in the waters around the Philippines, bounded by the Philippine Islands, Taiwan and Ryukyu Islands in the west, Japan in the north, the Mariana Trench subduction zone in the east, and Yap Island, Palau and the easternmost islands of Indonesia in the south. The collision between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate caused the formation of Taiwan Island, and this process continues today.

Pacific Plate

The Pacific Plate is the largest major plate in the world, with an area of more than 100 million square kilometers. It generates a fault zone that meets the North American Plate and the open sea of eastern Japan, namely the famous Mariana Trench.

North American Plate

The North American Plate is the main plate of North America, covering most of North America, including regions such as Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Greenland. The southern boundary of the North American Plate is bordered by the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate in central Japan.

The above is the distribution of the four major plates in Japan, and the rich geological topography such as uplifts, folds, and faults generated by plate compression is of great significance in studying the evolutionary process of the earth.

Where are Japan’s faults distributed?

In particular, as mentioned above, Japan is located at the boundary of the Eurasian Plate, Philippine Sea Plate, Pacific Plate, and North American Plate. According to the Geological Survey of Japan, Japan, which is located in an earthquake zone, has 114 fault zones in the country! This is why earthquakes occur so often in Japan!

Japan Central Structural Line

Among them, the most famous and important fault system in Japan is the Central Structural Line, a geological structure that runs through central Japan and includes multiple parallel and intersecting faults, extending from Kanto to Kyushu, with a total length of 360 kilometers, equivalent to the driving distance from Taipei to Kaohsiung. Because this central structural line moves in large quantities between different geological areas, it forms a boundary line, with different rocks arranged on both sides. It is one of the longest and most important faults in Japan and the main source of earthquake activity in Japan. However, it must be noted that the central tectonic line runs through Japan’s mountains, rivers, and plains, and has a profound impact on Japan’s topography and topography, but it is not a plate boundary.

In addition, the Central Structural Line is an active fault system, and the Japan Earthquake Research Committee has strengthened its investigation of faults in various parts of Japan since the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. Investigations have found that if a fault called the Central Structural Line ruptures, it could trigger an 8.0-magnitude earthquake and reach a maximum magnitude of 6 to 7 in various places, so authorities hope to relocate buildings in the fault zone to mitigate damage caused by the earthquake.

What is the intensity of earthquakes in Japan?

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency’s “Explanatory Table on Earthquake Intensity Grades” created by the Japan Earthquake Research Committee, this is an indicator that the Japan Meteorological Agency describes the seismic intensity of earthquakes in Japan! The seismic intensity classes of earthquakes in Japan range from Magnitude 1 to Magnitude 7, and each represents the impact of different earthquake intensities on humans. The specific contents are as follows:

When an earthquake occurs, the news often uses the above nouns to describe the intensity and degree of impact of the earthquake. These descriptions are relatively intuitive and can help the public better understand and grasp the intensity of the current earthquake.

Earthquake prediction map of Japan!

The figure below is a national earthquake prediction map created by the Japan Earthquake Research Promotion Headquarters in 2020. It predicts the probability and location of earthquakes in Japan over the next 30 years. Although this Japan Earthquake Forecast Map cannot fully grasp the timing of earthquakes in Japan, prevention and contingency measures can be planned according to the probability of earthquakes occurring in this region. Detailed report contents are summarized below!

Earthquake prediction map of Japan: 1. Earthquake prediction probability map

The upper left block is the Japan Earthquake Prediction Probability Map. Based on the location, magnitude, and probability of all Japanese earthquakes currently under consideration, the probability and intensity of earthquakes at each location are collectively calculated and distributed.

Earthquake prediction map of Japan: 2. Earthquake prediction map of specific focal faults

The upper right block is a Japan earthquake prediction map of specific focal faults, which can be used to calculate the magnitude and distribution of earthquakes in a specific area, and can also be used to indicate the range of populations affected by a certain magnitude or higher in that area. Using the northern section of the Itoigawa-Shizuoka structural line fault zone as an example, this is a map showing the affected area and the range that will affect the population with a seismic intensity of less than 6 or higher in the event of a local earthquake.

Earthquake Prediction Map of Japan: 3. Characteristics of the 2020 Edition of the National Earthquake Prediction Map

The bottom block is the 2020 version of Japan Earthquake Prediction Map, with the following changes compared to the 2018 version.

• In particular, improvement of earthquake models where focal faults are difficult to identify in advance (taking into account seismic activity in the Tohoku Pacific Ocean)
• Improvement of underground structure model
• Change of evaluation reference date for earthquake occurrence probability assessment to January 1, 2020
• Changing the color scheme of the earthquake prediction map
• Earthquake prediction maps by region and prefecture released

To summarize the above, the probability graph of the report results shows that the probability of earthquakes is high in southeastern Hokkaido, some areas of the Sendai Plain, Tokyo Metropolitan Area, the Pacific side of the Tokai-Shikoku region, and areas around the Itoigawa-Shizuoka structural line fault zone within the next 30 years.

What is Japan’s earthquake countermeasures?

Because it is located at the boundary of plates, earthquakes occur frequently in Japan. After the Great Hanshin Earthquake and the Great 311 Earthquake, Hagama Shenzhou emphasized earthquake disaster prevention, and various circles actively cooperated with government and private disaster prevention policies. Therefore, disaster relief and disaster prevention work is now the most important task. In Japan, we are also proposing many disaster prevention measures to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property, such as improving the Basic Law on Disaster Countermeasures, promoting disaster prevention sand trays, constructing disaster prevention parks and bases, strengthening earthquake resistance of buildings, strengthening buildings around emergency roads, fire prevention in densely wooded areas, and emergency medical care. Next, let’s take a look at what kind of disaster prevention measures Japan has!

Earthquake Countermeasures in Japan: Establishment of Evacuation Shelters

The Japanese government has set up large disaster prevention parks and small evacuation parks as bases for relief and recovery activities. These open spaces provide a relatively safe space, and many facilities are built and available, such as landing points for helicopters to transport supplies, temporary toilets, solar lights, emergency water supply, and vending machines.

Japan’s Earthquake Countermeasures: Promotion of Earthquake Resistance Measures

In order to mitigate the damage caused by earthquakes and protect the lives and property of residents, the Japanese government is working to improve disaster resistance by systematically making houses and buildings earthquake-resistant. Specific measures include earthquake-resistant transportation roads, non-combustible and earthquake-resistant areas with dense wooden houses, and earthquake-resistant important buildings.

Earthquake Countermeasures in Japan: Disaster Prevention Organization and Association

The Japanese government is promoting a disaster prevention worker system. A disaster preparer is defined as a person who actively participates in improving disaster preparedness capabilities in all corners of society, is certified by relevant organizations, cooperates with the government’s rapid response in the event of a disaster, and assumes the role of evacuation, rescue, and shelter management.

Earthquake Countermeasures in Japan: Disaster Prevention Geographic Information System

The Japanese government is continuously promoting the digitization of the country, and the location information of disaster prevention facilities, wooden houses, roads, infrastructure, etc. can be grasped through the layers of electronic maps. The government can better understand the characteristics of each geographical location and determine areas where protective measures need to be increased to respond to potential disaster risks.

 Earthquake Countermeasures in Japan: Installation of Disaster Prevention App

The Japanese government is promoting disaster prevention apps (APPs) that provide functions such as earthquake warnings, disaster information, shelter information, and rescue guidelines. Disaster prevention apps help you get important information in a timely manner when an earthquake occurs and take appropriate action.

In recent years, many people have started to think about investing in Japan, because the Japanese real estate market and national conditions are relatively stable and there are investment profits, or because they want to deeply experience the unique charm of Japanese culture. For those who plan to stay for a long time and buy real estate in Japan, understanding the institutional rules and cost structure of Japanese real estate is a very important part. Therefore, in this article, I would like to organize the expenses related to buying a house in Japan from the perspective of non-Japanese people, such as local housing market prices, initial home purchase costs, and post-home ownership costs. Now let’s understand this important information together!

Japanese housing prices

Taking the Tokyo metropolitan area (Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture) and the Kinki area (Osaka Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture, Shiga Prefecture, Nara Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture) as examples, which are areas with a lot of housing investment by foreigners, According to a report by the Japan Institute of Real Estate Economics, the average price of newly built condominiums in the Tokyo metropolitan area in 2023 is 81.01 million yen, and the average price per square meter (approximately 0.3025 tsubo) is 1.226 million yen. Prices in the Kinki area are relatively low, with the average price of newly built condominiums being 46.66 million yuan, and the average price per square meter is 790,000 yen.

The table below breaks down the average total price and average unit price of new condominiums in each region. The price of each property depends on factors such as structure, room type and size. We recommend that you first refer to this table to understand the general price trend, and then consult a professional real estate agent for more specific and professional advice!

Source: Japan Institute of Real Estate Economics
[Note] The exchange rate is 1 yen = 0.21 Taiwan dollars (calculation date: 2024/4/29)

Source: Japan Institute of Real Estate Economics
[Note] The exchange rate is 1 yen = 0.21 Taiwan dollars (calculation date: 2024/4/29)

In recent news, we often see Taiwanese entertainers and internet celebrities buying properties in Japan, but in fact, not only entertainers, but also Japanese mortgage interest rates and the yen exchange rate have continued to fall in recent years. More and more investors are seeing the possibility of buying and investing in houses in Japan! What should I look out for when buying a house in Japan? What are the eligibility restrictions and conditions? This time, we would like to guide our readers through the process and precautions of buying a house in Japan!

The Process of Buying a House in Japan

step 1. Find a reliable housing agent

Like Taiwan, Japan also has a real estate (housing) brokerage industry, which mediates through intermediaries and handles the process of buying and selling houses, which is basically similar in nature to housing brokerage in Taiwan. Therefore, if you do not have relatives or friends in Japan, you will not be able to speak the language to buy a house in Japan, and there are many taxes and fees associated with real estate ownership, so it is recommended to look directly for a trusted, Chinese and English-speaking housing broker to protect the safety of your home purchase and prevent the risk of fraud!

step 2. Select an object

If you want to buy a house in Japan, you can negotiate with a broker online or browse the property online. Many people go directly to Japan and are guided by a broker to tour the house. You can actually go there and understand more about the lighting, surrounding environment, and home safety.

step 3. Apply for a home purchase

After selecting the right property, the brokerage company will provide you with a Purchase Application Form, fill out the application form to finalize your purchase desire, and then the brokerage company and the seller will discuss the terms of sale!

step 4. Prepare the materials

When buying a home, it is essential to prepare contract documents and expenses, and choose the right payment method! I will organize the documents and materials required for the contract for all readers who need it:

• Passport
• Deposit: Buyer should pay 10% of the item price as deposit
• Fees: Half of the security deposit will be a housing agent’s fee
• Stamp duty: When concluding a sales contract, stamp duty is paid by affixing a stamp to the contract according to the sales amount (stamp duty is exempt if you sign a contract in Taiwan, but stamp duty is charged if you sign a contract in Japan)

step 5. Conclude a contract

After the negotiation is reached, both the seller and the seller sign and seal, at this stage, the buyer must come to Japan and sign the contract, or the Japanese real estate broker must come to Taiwan and sign the contract. If you really can’t meet, ask the Japanese broker to represent the buyer and sign the contract with the seller in Japan, and the Taiwanese buyer can further check the progress and situation on TV.

In addition, the buyer must also pay a deposit at this stage, and once the deposit is paid, the real estate sales contract is concluded!

step 6. Settlement balance, house delivery and name change

After the contract is signed, the buyer immediately obtains the original copy of the contract, relevant documents and payment notice, the buyer completes the payment by the specified date, and continues to register the change of ownership registration procedures. You can officially complete the process of obtaining the keys and handing over the house!

What are the conditions for buying a house in Japan? What documents do foreigners need to prepare to buy a house in Japan?

Looking at it this way, the home buying process in Japan is almost the same as in Taiwan! So, readers who are new to Japanese real estate may be wondering if there are any eligibility restrictions for purchasing a home in Japan.

In fact, the conditions for purchasing real estate in Japan are relatively loose and free. You can buy and sell real estate in Japan regardless of your nationality when buying a house or buying or selling land.

However, the documents that non-Japanese need to prepare when purchasing a house in Japan are relatively complicated, and a preliminary inventory includes the following:

• Front and back color photo of ID card
• Color passport photo
• 1 copy of family register manuscript
• Cut Knot Book
• Seal certificate

💡 [Room sense small thoughts]
When buying a house in Japan, look for a translation company to translate the family register copy and seal certificate you paid into a Japanese translation book, go to a court, a private notary unit, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for certification, and then use it in Japan. You can use it!

 How can foreigners buy a home loan in Japan? We will introduce the flow of home loans in Japan!

If you like Japan’s low interest rates and want to purchase Japanese real estate, the loan barrier is a relatively difficult one. Currently, many Japanese banks do not make open banking loans to foreigners who do not reside in Japan, so you have to make loans to Taiwanese banks that have branches or subsidiaries in Japan. For example, there are Bank of Taiwan, Daiichi Bank, Megabank, and China Trust in Tokyo, and mainland banks such as Megabank and China Trust in Osaka!

💡 Mortgage rates for buying a home in Japan are almost the same as in Taiwan, with mortgage rates falling to a range of about 2.2% to 2.7% in 2024!

However, be aware that there are conditions when applying for a loan, such as:

• Housing Age Within 20 years
• The winning bid price of a house is 35 million yen or more.
• The loan ratio is about 50% to 70% of the transaction price
• Mainly 15-25 years of principal and interest repayment
• No grace period
• Must have an annual income of NT $1 million or more
• The purchased area is 50 square meters or more (approximately 15.12 tsubo)

Frequently asked questions/precautions about buying a house in Japan!

Q1. Japan has low mortgage interest rates, so is it a good deal to buy a house?

Mortgage rates in Japan are generally lower than those in Taiwan, but this is limited to Japanese banks and Japanese people. Taiwanese people who do not have permanent residence permits still have to enter a Taiwanese bank to take out a loan to buy real estate, so they do not necessarily enjoy low interest rates.

💡 Those who are interested in building real estate in Japan can compare and evaluate them carefully!

Q2. There are many earthquakes in Japan. How do I get guaranteed housing?

In order to protect buyers, all information about Japanese housing is actually public and transparent, and can be searched online!

Investigating the potential effects of earthquakes, soil liquefaction and flooding 💡: Housing Security Institute
💡 I would like to find out if there has been an accident in and around this property: Teru Oshima Oshima property announcement website

Q3. Which areas do you recommend to buy a house in Japan?

If you have no intention of settling in Japan, it is advisable to consider looking for areas that are easy to rent in Japan, focusing on whether there are people who will rent here and who you can sell to later! However, even if you see something that catches your eye while traveling to Yukimi in Hokkaido or Shujima in Okinawa and want to get it for your future trip, it’s actually not a good deal and it’s a better choice to stay in a hotel. is.

Where are the essence areas that are easy to rent? I first suggest narrowing down the area within a few minutes’ walk from local stations, restaurants, drugstores and other living functions, focusing on the top three regions in Japan with GDP per capita, such as Tokyo and Osaka.

Q4. If you want to rent a house after buying it, how should you manage it?

After purchasing Japanese real estate, in addition to their own homes, many investors choose to rent the property and receive rent. Unlike Taiwanese homeowners who often manage their rental homes themselves, it is quite common in Japan to entrust the management of their rental homes to a rental management company!

If you are planning to rent a property, pay attention to the types of lease agreements in Japan! Rental contracts in Japan are divided into regular contracts and fixed-term contracts.

• At the expiration of the normal contract, the tenant has the right to renew the contract, and the landlord must not request the tenant to return the rent without permission.
• A fixed-term contract is when the tenant has to move out according to the contract when the contract expires.

From this, if you intend to recover the real estate you live in Japan in the future, it is recommended to adopt a fixed-term contract and sign with a tenant! However, if you sign a fixed-term contract, the rental income will be lower compared to a regular contract, so you must think carefully before arranging a rental!

Q5. Is it profitable to buy and sell a house in Japan?

Many people invest in Japanese real estate not only for rental income, but also for capital gains! However, capital gains tax must be paid when selling Japanese real estate, and the tax rate for selling Japanese real estate in the name of an individual in Taiwan is 5-40%, while the tax rate for selling Japanese real estate in the name of a Taiwanese corporation is 26%, 15. 15%-30. 63% for an individual sale in Japan, and 30-35% for a Japanese corporation. What you must be especially careful about is that you must pay the minimum tax burden system and business income tax after you return to Taiwan! Therefore, if readers are willing to invest in Japanese real estate, they can calculate and evaluate the tax burden themselves!

Japan’s housing sales tax burden is a lazy bag!

Costs of Buying a House in Japan In the article, we have already organized for our readers the costs that must be paid at the initial stage of buying a house in Japan and at the time of ownership. This mainly organizes all the tax burdens you come into contact with when buying and selling a house in Japan!

For those who want to stay in Japan for a long time, how to obtain a Japan long-term visa is definitely an important issue. As one of the major countries in East Asia, Japan has a rich and eternal culture and strong scientific and technological capabilities, and its closeness with Taiwan attracts many Taiwanese tourists! Whether you want to live in Japan or study abroad and look for a job, you may consider applying for a long-term visa for Japan. In this article, we will introduce our readers to the types of Japanese visas and 7 types of long-term visas to help them understand the application process and precautions!

What are the types of Japanese visas?

According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese visas are mainly divided into three types: short-term stay visas, medical stay visas, and long-term work visas:

Japan Visa Category 1: Short Stay (Short Stay on Visa)

Those who enter Japan on a short-term visit or tourist visa are usually for the purpose of sightseeing, business travel, or visiting relatives or friends. Such short-term stay visas do not allow them to receive salary through short-term work and the period of stay in Japan must not exceed 90 days.

Currently, citizens of 71 countries, including Taiwan, can enter Japan without a visa! However, other countries such as China, Russia, CIS countries (member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States), Philippines, and Vietnam need to apply for a short-term visit visa or tourist visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate general abroad in each country to enter Japan.

Japan Visa Type 2: Medical Visa (Medical Visa)

Medical Residence Visa in Japan is a visa issued for foreign patients and their companions who are going to Japan for medical treatment. A medical stay visa is not limited to treatment at a medical institution, but can also be accepted for a wide range of purposes, including medical examinations and hot spring treatment.

The period of stay of medical stay visa is basically limited to 90 days, and can be applied for multiple times. Multiple applications must be accompanied by a treatment schedule issued by the relevant doctor. If necessary, the accompanying person will also be issued the same visa as a foreign patient. In addition, the companion must not engage in any paid activities as he is traveling to Japan to care for foreign patients.

If hospitalization occurs in Japan, the period of stay can be extended up to 6 months or 1 year depending on the patient’s treatment situation (however, multiple applications cannot be made). Foreign visitors who need to apply can prepare relevant application documents and apply to Japanese embassies and consulates in each country.

Japan Visa Category 3: Work/Long-Term Stay (Work/Long-Term Stay Visa)

A work/long-stay visa is a visa issued for the purpose of employment or long-term stay, and also includes a working holiday system. Such visas can be applied for general visa, work visa, highly professional visa, specified visa, start-up (entrepreneurship) visa, diplomatic visa, official visa and official visa. The specific length of stay depends on each type of visa. Detailed long-term visa instructions and how to apply are explained in the following paragraphs!

Types of long-stay visas in Japan

There are quite a lot of types of long-stay visas in Japan, and we can choose depending on the purpose of going to Japan. Below, I will introduce seven relatively common types of long-stay visas in Japan, and explain in detail related information such as eligibility restrictions and period of stay for each visa.

Long-Term Visa for Japan 1: General Visa

Those who come to learn Japanese culture, such as study abroad, training, training (for example, training from a company, municipality, etc. that is not related to the trainee’s practical work), unpaid internship, or those who have obtained a long-term stay visa If your spouse or child comes with your family, you need to apply for a general visa.

💡 General Visa Duration of Stay

• Study abroad: 3 months to a maximum of 4 years and 3 months
• Training: 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years
• Cultural activities or internships: 3 months, 6 months, 1 year
• Family stay: 3 months to up to 5 years

Japan Long-Term Visa 2: Employment Visa

If you have a full-time salaried employee employed by a Japanese company, you can apply for a work visa. Occupational visas include 16 types of occupations, including teaching, arts, religion, media reporting, business administration, legal/accounting work, medical care, research, education, technical/humanities knowledge/international work, intra-company personnel transfer, and nursing.

💡 Work Visa Stay Period

• Management: 3 months, 4 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years
• Other occupation: 3 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years

Japan Long-Term Visa 3: Highly Professional

High-level professionals are also a type of work visa, which was established to send high-level professionals of foreign nationality (e.g., academic researchers, lawyers, engineers, and other professional technicians) to Japan by granting medium-to long-term residence visas and preferential conditions.

Based on the examination of the applicant’s academic background and various related qualifications, an application can be made if the total score exceeds 70 points. Highly professional occupations are classified into the following three types:

(1) Advanced Professional No. 1 (a): Advanced academic research activities

Professionals engaged in advanced academic research activities. In other words, if you are engaged in research or teaching activities at a public or private institution in Japan, you can apply for this category. For example, professors, lecturers and researchers from research institutes can apply for this visa category.

(2) Highly specialized position No. 1 (b): Highly specialized and technical activities

You can apply for this category if you are an upgraded version of the technical, humanities, and international business within your work visa and are engaged in business activities with specialized knowledge or skills in Japan based on a contract with a Japanese public or private institution.

(3) Highly professional No. 1 (c): Advanced management and management activities

You can apply for this category if you are engaged in management or management activities in a public or private institution in Japan.

💡 Duration of stay for highly specialized professionals

• Foreigners who meet advanced professional qualifications: 5 years
• Foreigners eligible for the Special Advanced Human Resources System: 5 years
• Spouses and children of persons with advanced professional qualifications and special advanced human resources programs: 1 year, 3 years, 5 years

Japan Long-Term Visa 4: Specified Visa

Specified visas can be applied for by spouses, children of Japanese nationals or permanent residents, and those engaged in specified activities (including working holidays, paid internships, long-term tourism plans, future talent programs, etc.). If you are an outstanding overseas university graduate who meets certain conditions, you can apply for a two-year Specified Activity Status of Residence and find a job in Japan.

💡 Specific Visa Stay Period

• Specific activity: 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years
• Spouse or child of a Japanese national: 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years
• Children of spouse of eligible permanent resident: 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years

Japan Long-Term Visa 5: Entrepreneurship Visa

Foreign entrepreneurs supported by municipalities and private enterprises certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and their spouses and children can apply for this entrepreneur visa.

💡 Period of stay for entrepreneurship visa

• Work visa: 6 months, 1 year

Japan Long-Term Visa 6: Diplomatic Visa

If you are a member of a diplomatic mission or consulate of a foreign government accepted by the Japanese government, you can apply for this diplomatic visa.

💡 Duration of stay on a diplomatic visa

• Diplomatic visa: During diplomatic activities

Long Stay Visa in Japan 7: Business Visa

Persons working in Japan for foreign governments or international organizations commissioned by the Japanese government, as well as their spouses and children, may apply for official visas.

💡 Period of stay for official visa

• Business Visa: 15 days, 30 days, 3 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years

Long-Term Visa Application Process for Japan

Before introducing the visa application procedure, we must explain the difference between a visa and a status of residence. In Japan, visa and status of residence are often considered the same, but strictly speaking, a visa is a document issued by a Japanese embassy or consulate overseas before entering Japan to confirm whether the passport is valid or not and whether the applicant can enter the country legally. A status of residence is a permit issued by the Immigration Bureau of the Ministry of Justice of Japan after entering Japan and classifies a series of activities such as living, working, and living in Japan.

That’s why! When a foreigner enters Japan, stays for a long period of time, and engages in activities, he or she must obtain a visa and status of residence that are appropriate for the activities. In general, when traveling to Japan with a specific status, the order is normal to first obtain a status of residence and then apply for a visa corresponding to that status. Below, I would like to guide you through the process of applying for a long-term visa in Japan!

STEP 1: Submit and apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

First, submit documents such as a Certificate of Eligibility (Certificate of Eligibility COE) to Japan’s Immigration and Residence Administration Agency.The documents to be submitted vary depending on the status of residence, so please refer to the website of the Japan Immigration and Immigration Services Agency. However, it basically includes a certificate of residence, a headshot (3 x 4 cm), a return envelope, etc.

STEP 2: Wait about 1-3 months for the review period

After submitting the Certificate of Eligibility (COE), the standard COE review period is 1-3 months. Every November to March of the following year is the peak period for immigration screening, and the screening period is relatively long. If readers apply within this period, they will have to wait patiently!

STEP 3: Apply for a visa at the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association with your Certificate of Residence

Once you have obtained your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), you can apply for a visa at the Japan-Taiwan Association! Generally, this Certificate of Eligibility is valid for 3 months, and if you do not successfully obtain a visa within the validity period, the Certificate of Eligibility will expire and you will need to reapply.

According to the regulations of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, the common documents to be submitted when applying for a Japanese visa are as follows.

• Original passport (please submit your old passport with it if you have it)
• Visa application form (must be signed by the applicant himself/herself and match the signature field in the passport)
• 5 cm straight x 3.5 cm wide color white background ID photo (taken within 6 months, front, hat off, no background)
• Original and one copy of the back of your ID card (if you are under 14 years old, you must submit the original and a copy of your family register in place of your ID card)
• Original and one copy of the front and back of the Certificate of Eligibility

Depending on the type of visa, the documents that need to be filled are different. For example, for a work visa, additional documents such as a diploma (or certificate of expected graduation) and transcripts (indication of elective courses) must be submitted, but for other documents that must be submitted for a visa, you can check with the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association.

STEP 4: Wait about 5-7 days for the issue date.

In principle, it is issued within 5 working days of receipt of the visa application, but if additional materials are required for review, the issuance of the visa may be delayed.

STEP 5: After entering Japan with the visa you applied for, receive your residence card

When you enter Japan, you will receive your residence card, and within two weeks of receiving your residence card, please do not forget to register your residence at the city, ward, town, or village office (city hall, ward office, etc.) where you live.

Frequently Asked Questions about Japan Visa

Q: Which long-term visa is easier to apply for?

When staying in Japan for a long time, there are six types of visas that you often apply for: student visa, part-time vacation visa, work visa, highly professional visa, business management visa, and specified skills visa. I have organized the priorities of each type of visa in the table below for the reference of readers who need it!

In addition to study visas, 10 types of work visas, technology, humanities knowledge, and international business are the work visas that Taiwanese people obtain the most in Japan. According to statistics from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan, such visas will be issued in 2022. The number of Taiwanese has reached 12,000.

Q: What should I do if my Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is refused?

If the submission of the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is refused, the examinee and his/her office may have been judged to be at risk or irregular by the Japan Immigration and Residence Administration Agency. If you are rejected, you can first amend your submission and then apply again.

Latest for 2024! Japan promotes digital nomad visa

If the long-term stay visa mentioned above does not suit your purpose of traveling to Japan, or if you are unable to apply for a work visa because you have not obtained employment qualifications for a Japanese company, consider the digital nomadic visa that Japan will release at the end of March 2024. Why not try it!

The Digital Nomad Visa system mainly allows remote workers with stable incomes to live and work abroad. This remote worker does not have to rely on local job opportunities. At the same time, it can also stimulate tourism!

Japan Digital Nomad Visa Application Eligibility

• Applicants must be from one of the 49 countries to which Japan has opened visa waivers, including the United States, Australia, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan.
• Applicants must have an annual personal income of 10 million yen (approximately NT $2.1 million).
• Self-employed people can also apply, but must have personal health insurance
• The employer must be a company that is not registered in Japan.

Other Japan Digital Nomad Visa Notes

• The period of stay in Japan is 6 months.
• Visa applicants can enter the country with their spouse and children
• Visas expire and cannot be renewed. You must reapply within 6 months of leaving Japan.