Chinese interest in Japanese housing surges as US loses luster

Demand soars in Tokyo and Osaka as buyers seek better returns and 'quality of life'

The Tokyo Skytree looks down on Japan's capital. Typical Chinese buyers look for small, one-bedroom apartments in Tokyo, according to listing site Juwai.com. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)

MITSURU OBE, Nikkei staff writer

June 8, 2019 15:48 JST

TOKYO -- Chinese interest in Japanese property surged at the beginning of the year as the intensifying trade war and Beijing's tighter capital controls combined to cool demand for U.S. real estate.

According to Juwai.com, China's top international real estate website, Chinese inquiries regarding Japan rose 13 times on the year in the first three months of 2019. Interest in U.S. properties, on the other hand, dropped 27.5% in the first three months of this year.