News Japan to mandate disclosure of nationality in property registrations

The Japanese government plans to add nationality data to its proposed property registration database as part of an effort to better understand and monitor foreign ownership, according to comments made on Tuesday by digital transformation minister Matsumoto Hisashi. At present, property buyers are not required to declare their nationality when registering assets such as condominiums. The Digital Agency is aiming to roll out the new centralised database from fiscal 2027 onward.

The move comes amid growing concern that overseas investors have contributed to rising condominium prices through speculative purchases. In parallel, the government is reviewing existing rules governing land acquisitions by non-Japanese individuals. Recent data have added weight to these concerns. A survey released last month by the land ministry—the first of its kind—found that 3.0% of buyers of newly built condominiums in Tokyo between January and June of this year were residents based outside Japan.

Several regulatory proposals have emerged within the party. One proposal involves revising the land use regulation law, which allows authorities to investigate how land around facilities vital to national security is being used, and to issue orders with penalties against activities that undermine the functions of such facilities. Suggestions have been made to expand areas subject to those investigations and require prior screening for land acquisitions. Some lawmakers have even floated the idea of imposing taxes on foreign nationals who buy real estate.

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