Shinonome provides a comprehensive set of real estate property services including property research, property sale and purchase and rental services. Our licensed legal specialists working together with our real estate industry partners at Shinonome Advisers Co., Ltd. are well experienced in property research and transactions and are able to provide you with total support for your real estate needs.

Broadly speaking, we provide the following three areas of support to our clients needing help with real estate related issues.

1. Paperwork related to property purchase and sale
2. Property research and report preparation
3. Total support in assisting foreign nationals with finding a place of residence

(1) If you are thinking about purchasing or selling real property in Japan

As illustrated in the example procedures below, real estate transactions in Japan follow a rather unique process that may be somewhat unfamiliar to foreign nationals. Shinonome works closely with you to help you complete your transaction with peace of mind.

Our office performs all the paperwork described in the procedures below offering you a one-stop partner to minimize hassle.

Please note that the following illustrates a straightforward case. If financing is required to make the purchase, additional steps are required.

Procedures for Selling Real Property (Example)

1. Select a real estate agent to work on your behalf, enter into an advisory contract with the agent, and begin search for a buyer.

Normally, the real estate agent will work as a neutral mediator for both the buyer and the seller.

2. After deciding on a property to purchase, sign the purchase contracts and have a Registered Real Estate Transaction Manager explain the important points to you.

A Registered Real Estate Transaction Manager is a nationally certified professional familiar with the details of real estate transactions. These important details are similar to those on a Title Report in the United States.

3. Have a Shihoshoshi Lawyer attend your contract signing and payment settlement

During this stage an interpreter may be required. Our office’s English speaking staff are here to assist with this stage and serve as your communication bridge.

4. Application for Transfer of Ownership Registration

Preparation of documents necessary for transfer of ownership registration and submission of the paperwork for ownership transfer to the Legal Affairs Bureau office with jurisdiction over the real property being purchased.

5. Issuing of Registration Identification Number

The Legal Affairs Bureau will notify a newly registered property owner of the Registration Identification Number. The Registration Identification Number is a key document like a Title Deed and, if required, we offer full translation of this document.

6. Notification to the Bank of Japan under the Foreign Exchange Laws

If a foreign citizen or corporation purchases real property in Japan, they are required by law to notify the Minister of Finance through the Bank of Japan within 20 days of the purchase. Our office provides full support for this process.

Procedures for Purchasing Real Property (Example)

1. Select a real estate agent to work on your behalf, enter into an advisory contract with the agent, and have them introduce property that fits your needs.

2. After deciding on a property to purchase, sign the purchase contracts and have a Registered Real Estate Transaction Manager explain the important points to you.

A Registered Real Estate Transaction Manager is a nationally certified professional familiar with the details of real estate transactions. These important details are similar to those on a Title Report in the United States.

3. Have a Shihoshoshi Lawyer attend your contract signing and payment settlement

During this stage an interpreter may be required. Our office’s English speaking staff are here to assist with this stage and serve as your communication bridge.

4. Application for Transfer of Ownership Registration

Preparation of documents necessary for transfer of ownership registration and submission of the paperwork for ownership transfer to the Legal Affairs Bureau office with jurisdiction over the real property being purchased.

5. Issuing of Registration Identification Number

The Legal Affairs Bureau will notify a newly registered property owner of the Registration Identification Number. The Registration Identification Number is a key document like a Title Deed and, if required, we offer full translation of this document.

6. Notification to the Bank of Japan under the Foreign Exchange Laws

If a foreign citizen or corporation purchases real property in Japan, they are required by law to notify the Minister of Finance through the Bank of Japan within 20 days of the purchase. Our office provides full support for this process.

(2) Real Property Research and Report Preparation Services

If you are considering the purchase of real property or looking for an apartment in Japan, we can research the property registers and prepare the applicable reports for you as necessary.

Whether you are a foreign national considering the purchase or rental of real property, or need to research the real property owned by a Japanese company for M&A purposes, our professionals can examine the appropriate property registers and prepare a findings report for you.

As additional services, we can provide full translation into English of all important documents related to real property transaction. As such, we can offer you services similar to a US style Title Report.

Furthermore, if you require property value assessment services, our affiliate company specialized in property assessment can perform this task and we can provide the assessment reports to you in English.

Documents such as the following can be translated:

1. Matters related to the real property in question
1. Restrictions based on the Construction Standards Law and other applicable regulations
2. Costs associated with surrounding private roads
2. Transaction related issues
1. Notices of payment settlements between property sellers and buyers
2. Details related to contract terminations
3. Housing defect warranty deed summaries
3. Other Items
1. Investigations as per the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law
2. Asbestos use findings reports
3. Compliance with new earthquake resistance standards

(3) For those seeking to rent property in Japan

Our affiliate company, experienced in most facets of the Japanese real estate market, is available to help you with your needs.

If you are looking for an apartment to rent we can introduce various available property to you. If you have already signed a rental contract with a real estate agent, we offer translation services for your contracts and other important papers. We also offer some assistance with coping with daily life in Japan (Japanese lifestyle and community rules etc).

Some of the services we offer include:

• Property information (maps of the surrounding area, apartment pictures, and layout maps)
• Negotiation with landlords
• Information needed for daily living (location of hospitals, supermarkets, etc) and international association information
• Translation and interpretation services for daily needs
• Assistance with tenancy problem issues
• Explanation of Japanese community rules
• Visa applications and other application paperwork

Please click on the following URL for details about our visa services

Visa Services