Property
Japan — Property: Legal Checks
Legal checks in a Japanese property purchase include the broker written explanation of important matters under Article 35, and for non-resident buyers a Foreign Exchange Act report.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceMLIT / Ministry of Finance — Real estate transaction rules and FEFTA reportingLast reviewed: 2026-10-23
Key facts
- A licensed transaction specialist must explain the important matters in writing before contract, covering private-law and public-law rights in the property, urban facilities and transaction terms.
- The explanation must state whether the property lies in a flood hazard map area (since August 2020).
- A non-resident who acquires real property in Japan must report it to the Minister of Finance through the Bank of Japan within 20 days of acquisition.
- The report may be filed by the non-resident or by an agent resident in Japan and must be written in Japanese.
Steps
- Engage a judicial scrivener — Typically arranged by the real estate agent or independently retained; verifies title and seller identity.
- Title and encumbrance verification — Confirm the registered owner matches the seller and check for existing liens, mortgages, or encumbrances.
- Closing — Scrivener coordinates simultaneous fund transfer and key handover.
- Registration filing — Scrivener files ownership transfer at the Legal Affairs Bureau, including nationality disclosure (from 2026).