Tag - housing

 
 

HOUSING

EDITORIALS
Sep 3, 2016
Making the most of vacant homes
Vacant homes could greatly boost the short supply of inexpensive public housing.
WORLD / Society
Aug 29, 2016
U.K. plan to make social housing tenants 'pay to stay' won't meet aim: report
Britain's "pay to stay" rule requiring social housing tenants to pay higher rents may leave local councils worse off, cause stress for families and fail to generate expected revenues for the central government, according to a report published Monday.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 28, 2016
Building dreams in Japan
Buying or building your dream home in Japan can be nearly impossible.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Aug 15, 2016
Undermining China: towns sink after mines close
Deep in the coal heartlands of northern Shanxi province, people in the village of Helin are fighting a losing battle as the ground beneath them crumbles.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / HOME TRUTHS
Aug 6, 2016
Resort condos: an option for home buyers
As everyone in Japan now knows, there are millions of vacant houses and apartments throughout the country, many of which are on sale for a song. The money and effort needed to renovate these properties, however, often isn't worth it given how inexpensive new houses can be. That, of course, is the main...
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jul 17, 2016
Getting a renter to budge can require patience
Do I have any chance at all of having the tenants removed from my property, or do I have to wait until they decide to go?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / HOME TRUTHS
Jul 2, 2016
A rise in vacancies won't mean drops in rent
According to the June 11 issue of Nikkan Gendai, the vacancy rate for rental properties in the 23 wards of Tokyo is currently 33.7 percent, while in surrounding prefectures, it's even higher: 35.5 percent in Kanagawa and 34.1 percent in Chiba.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 16, 2016
Airbnb's 'master of disaster' comes to Tokyo as regulations loom
Airbnb Inc. has gone on a charm offensive in Japan, hoping to drum up support as regulators debate whether to clamp down on the startup's rapidly expanding operations.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jun 11, 2016
No guarantees: the struggle of being old and alone in Japan
Foreign media have been diligently covering Japan's rocky economic road to an uncertain future, but they seem to have missed the recent bankruptcy of Nihon Life Kyokai, a company that provides guarantor services. Though it's only one failure, the Japanese press has paid particularly close attention,...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / HOME TRUTHS
Apr 30, 2016
Yukarigaoka proves 'new towns' can age well
Tama, in western Tokyo, is currently trying to find a way to rehabilitate Parthenon Tama, the city's public cultural complex. During headier times, Parthenon hosted world-famous classical musicians and theater companies, and in addition to a large auditorium and a small auditorium, it contains a museum,...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 20, 2016
Concerns raised over support services for disabled earthquake evacuees
Nearly a week after the first deadly earthquake hit central Kumamoto, concerns are rising that evacuees with disabilities or ailments are not getting the support they need.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / HOME TRUTHS
Apr 2, 2016
Low interest rates cause spike in refinancing
It has been more than a month since the Bank of Japan introduced negative interest rates in its bid to revitalize the economy. For consumers, the rate change is a mixed blessing. Obviously, interest on deposits will not go up any time soon, but anyone thinking of buying a house or condominium can get...
JAPAN / FUKUSHIMA FILE
Mar 20, 2016
Razing of wrecked homes lagging badly as Fukushima residents ponder return
The central government is covering the demolition costs for disaster-hit homes in Fukushima Prefecture, but 70 percent of the razing requests have not been completed.

Longform

Sociologist Gracia Liu-Farrer argues that even though immigration doesn't figure into Japan's autobiography, it is more of a self-perception than a reality.
In search of the ‘Japanese dream’