Japan places no restrictions on real estate ownership by foreign individuals or companies. You do not need to be a resident, hold a visa, or have Japanese nationality to buy and own land or buildings outright — overseas buyers receive the same freehold rights as Japanese nationals.
What you still need
- A remittance plan or Japanese bank account for settlement funds.
- A tax representative (納税管理人) if you live abroad, to handle ongoing filings.
- An affidavit or signature certificate in place of a Japanese registered seal (実印).
The real hurdles are administrative, not legal. With a competent local broker, judicial scrivener, and tax representative, a non-resident can complete a purchase without ever holding residency in Japan.
