Property
Japan — Property: Can Foreigners Buy?
A non-resident who acquires real property in Japan, or rights over it, must file a post-acquisition report under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act within 20 days, with exemptions that changed for acquisitions from 1 April 2026.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceMinistry of Finance — FEFTA reporting for non-residents acquiring real propertyLast reviewed: 2026-10-23
Key facts
- The report goes to the Minister of Finance through the Bank of Japan within 20 days of acquisition.
- It can be filed by the non-resident or by an agent resident in Japan; the report must be written in Japanese.
- Covered acquisitions include rights such as leasehold, superficies and mortgages, not only ownership.
- Exemptions differ for acquisitions on or before 31 March 2026 and on or after 1 April 2026; buying a building on leased land from 1 April 2026 requires a report.
- The 20-day clock can start at the sales contract date, ownership transfer date or inheritance confirmation date; if day 20 is a non-business day it moves to the next business day.
- Failing to report or filing a false report can bring up to six months imprisonment or a fine up to JPY 500,000 (Article 71).
Common mistakes
- Assuming a purchase through a Japanese agent removes the duty to report; the agent can file it, but the report is still required.