The Journal

Curated insights for the discerning investor. From architectural trends and market analysis to the hidden cultural gems of Niigata and Okinawa, explore the art of designing your Second Life in Japan

Person standing outside an older Japanese house, appearing to assess the property in a quiet residential area.

Japan Akiya Investment 2026: Niigata & Okinawa Guide

April 15, 2026

Investor Alert: Japan’s Vacant Homes Are Finally Hitting the Market — Ayako Yamaguchi Ayako Yamaguchi ← Back to site Investor Alert · April 2026 Japan’s...

Sado Island: Japan’s 2026 UNESCO Real Estate Opportunity

April 8, 2026

Sado Island · Japan Investment Insights · April 2026 Where untouched Japan meets living culture Sado Island is not Kyoto. That is its greatest strength. By Ayako Yamaguchi · ...

A wide hero image blending snowy Japanese mountains and a tropical coastline with subtle map overlays, representing Japan’s resort markets under increasing regulatory scrutiny.

From "No Restrictions" to "Strategic Scrutiny"

March 31, 2026

From “No Restrictions” to “Strategic Scrutiny” What New Rules Mean for Foreign Buyers in Japan’s Resort Markets For many years, I told clients one simple line. Japan has...

A front exterior view of a modern Japanese residential home. The house has a grey and brown facade with dark pitched roofs, large windows, and a frosted glass door with wooden slats. A neat rock and plant garden is in the left foreground, next to a concrete driveway and steps leading up to the entrance. The house is situated on a quiet residential street with neighboring homes and trees under a cloudy sky.

Japan Minpaku 2026: Compliance Risk and Capital Protection

March 29, 2026

Ayako Yamaguchi Japan Real Estate Strategist Strategic Briefing · March 2026 Japan Minpaku Compliance 2026:Asset Risk, Enforcement Trends,and Capital Protection Executive Summary Japan’s...

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