Practical Guide to Real Estate Transactions in Japan

Introduction: Navigating Real Estate Transactions in Japan
When dealing with real estate transactions in Japan, whether buying or selling, our law office can assist you as your representative. Real estate dealings on foreign soil can be intricate, but our specialized services ensure a smooth process.

1) Selecting the Right Real Estate Agent

Choosing a trustworthy real estate agent is crucial. Selecting the right agent is the most important factor in a real estate transaction, as it can be challenging for the general public (especially foreigners) to understand local regulations and property values.

Be cautious of bad agents, especially with income-producing properties that have high profit margins. Recently, there have been cases where old properties are sold to unknowledgeable buyers at inflated prices. Some vendors promise rent guarantees through subleasing but fail to deliver.

2) Legal Representation for Contract Signing

A typical real estate transaction in Japan involves signing a contract and paying a deposit, followed by settling the balance of the purchase price at a later date (e.g., one month later). This requires the seller and buyer to meet twice, at the time of contract signing.

For clients unable to travel to Japan just to sign a contract, our qualified attorney can act as your representative. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, we can review the legal aspects and sign the contract on your behalf.

3) Expert Support for Post-Transaction Matters

Even after contract signing, complexities remain in property registration and tax procedures. We can connect you with English-speaking professionals to ensure effective communication during these crucial stages.

Please Note: Property selection remains your responsibility. We urge you to engage in thorough discussions with real estate agents and make informed decisions aligned with your goals, as we do not provide guarantees.

Our office is located in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture (next to Tokyo). Therefore, in principle, our office can provide support for real estate transactions only in the vicinity of Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture. For support in other areas, costs may be higher due to travel fees, etc.

Published by

Kei Sumikawa

Attorney at Law (Sumikawa Law Office), Kawasaki city, Japan