A controversial proposal allowing foreign nationals to purchase and own condominium units in Japan without restrictions has sparked widespread outrage on social media and prompted hundreds of complaints to local governments in early 2026. The plan, part of ongoing discussions to revise Japan’s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act and real-estate ownership rules, aims to attract more overseas investment and address chronic housing shortages in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
Critics argue the change would drive up property prices, make housing unaffordable for ordinary Japanese citizens, and threaten national security by enabling foreign influence media over residential land. Some city halls set up dedicated hotlines to handle the flood of inquiries and concerns.
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