Housing

A fixed-term lease in Japan is a rental agreement with a set end date that cannot be terminated early by either party, unless agreed otherwise or under limited statutory exceptions.

No, you do not have to accept a unilateral rent increase unless it meets strict legal requirements under Japan’s Act on Land and Building Leases.

Yes, a landlord in Japan may terminate a lease for violating a no-pets clause if the violation is material and the tenant fails to remedy it after notice, as permitted under the Act on Land and Building Leases.

Not necessarily — your landlord may deduct reasonable costs for repairs beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning, or unpaid rent, but must provide a detailed itemized statement within one month of contract termination.

In Japan, the landlord generally bears the obligation to repair the leased property unless damage is caused by the tenant’s intentional act or negligence.

If a building is damaged by a disaster in Japan, rent may be reduced or suspended depending on the extent of damage and whether the property remains usable. The Civil Code allows tenants to request rent reduction or termination if use and benefit are significantly impaired.

Yes, if a real estate agent in Japan charges more than the legally prescribed maximum fee, it is illegal under the Real Estate Transaction Business Act.

When a tenant dies in Japan, the lease does not automatically terminate; it generally continues with the tenant’s legal heirs unless the lease agreement states otherwise or the heirs formally renounce inheritance.

A condominium rebuilding resolution requires approval by at least four-fifths (80%) of unit owners and their voting rights.

A unit owner's common area share in Japan is determined by the floor area of their exclusive unit relative to the total floor area of all units in the building, as set out in the Condominium Act.

In Japan, unit owners may object to a condominium association resolution by filing a written protest with the management association within 30 days of the resolution date, and may petition the court to cancel the resolution within 3 months if it violates the Condominium Act or is grossly unfair.

Yes, you generally need your landlord’s written permission to sublease in Japan, unless your lease agreement explicitly allows it or the sublease is for a short term and does not substantially change the use of the property.

Yes, a tenant in Japan must generally restore the premises to its original condition upon lease termination, unless the landlord consented to the renovation or the alteration is considered ordinary wear and tear.

Yes, brokering real estate transactions without a license is illegal in Japan under the Real Estate Business Law.

Yes, it is illegal to refuse tenancy based on race in Japan under the Act on Promotion of Efforts to Eliminate Unfair Discriminatory Treatment Based on Race or Ethnic Origin.

Yes, you may rescind the contract if the seller failed to disclose required information under the Act on Prevention of Delay in Payment of Subcontract Proceeds, and you act within the statutory period.

The Housing Performance Indication System is a mandatory evaluation framework in Japan that rates new residential buildings on 10 performance criteria—including structural safety, fire resistance, and energy efficiency—using standardized metrics and third-party certification.

No, Japan does not have a general 10-year warranty for apartment defects. New residential buildings are covered by a statutory 10-year warranty *only for structural defects and defects in items essential to earthquake resistance*, under the Act on Promotion of Quality Assurance in Housing.

In Japan, if a real estate broker’s disclosure differs from reality, the broker may be liable for damages under the Real Estate Transaction Business Act and Civil Code for breach of duty or fraudulent misrepresentation.

In Japan, there is no fixed statutory amount for eviction compensation — it is negotiated case by case, but courts often award 6–12 months’ rent based on relocation costs, moving expenses, and hardship.

No, you will not be immediately evicted for rent arrears in Japan. The landlord must first issue a formal notice and obtain a court order before eviction.

In Japan, just cause for landlord termination requires a 'legitimate reason' under the Act on Land and Building Leases, such as nonpayment of rent, unauthorized subletting, or serious breach of lease terms — and courts weigh factors like duration of tenancy, fault, and hardship.

Condominium management associations in Japan may suspend certain common-area usage rights and pursue court-ordered payment or foreclosure against delinquent owners, following strict statutory procedures.

In Japan, a landlord generally does not need 'just cause' to refuse lease renewal for ordinary rental contracts, but must give proper notice and may be required to show legitimate reason if the tenant has long-term occupancy or special circumstances.

The minimum duration of a leasehold right in Japan is 30 years for ordinary leasehold rights, and 50 years for leasehold rights established for buildings owned by the lessee.