Although Japan's relevant policy information was intensively disclosed in mid-December, the year-end week still holds significance as a 'window period before implementation':
Expansion of Foreign Investment Property Purchase Reporting Scope: Japan plans to revise rules requiring foreigners purchasing domestic real estate (including residential use) to submit reports to the government, with the target timeframe set for the next fiscal year (media reports mention April as a key point).
Strengthening Registration Information (Nationality Information): Japan is also advancing the collection of 'nationality' and other information during real estate registration to more accurately grasp the acquisition of real estate by foreigners.
AIAIG Perspective: Japan is not immediately moving towards 'banning foreign investment,' but rather upgrading foreign property purchases from 'social discussion' to 'quantifiable governance.' For Chinese buyers, this will change two key expectations:
• Compliance Material Expectations: The property purchase path becomes more like entering an identifiable and quantifiable system; the importance of material preparation, consistency of identity information, and explanation of funding sources increases.
• Holding Structure Expectations: If future regulation extends to ultimate beneficial owners (UBO) or adopts a look-through identification approach, 'corporate/SPV structures' will face higher transparency requirements and compliance costs.
Conclusion: Japan remains a candidate for 'core asset' holdings, but the buying logic is more suitable for 'rental cash flow + long-term holding,' not for betting on short-term price differentials.
