What Do People Think About Foreign Capital and Individuals Purchasing Land in Urbanization Control Areas? [Survey Results Announcement]

Survey on land acquisition by foreign capital and individuals in urbanization control areas and similar regions

While land in urbanization control areas and similar regions is inexpensive, it is real estate that is difficult to utilize or sell due to building restrictions and poor convenience.

In recent years, the acquisition of such land by foreign capital has attracted attention. However, while harboring concerns about national security and management systems, many people are confused by the lack of clarity in specific legal regulations.

Therefore, the real estate problem-solving website 'Negative Real Estate Purchase Center,' operated by Dream Planning Co., Ltd. (Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture / Representative Director: Mikito Takahashi), conducted a survey targeting individuals interested in real estate (valid responses: 353) regarding their 'awareness of land acquisition by foreign capital and individuals in urbanization control areas and areas outside city planning.'

[Request regarding citation and reproduction of data]

When using the survey results or images from this press release, please provide a link to the Negative Real Estate Purchase Center's URL where the survey results are published (https://dream-plan.com/fudosan/foreign-land-purchase-survey/).

No permission from our company is required for publication.

Urbanization Control Areas: Respondent Demographics (Valid responses: 353)

■ Gender Composition

Male: 199 (approx. 56%) Female: 154 (approx. 44%)

■ Age Composition

20s: 35 (9.9%) 30s: 100 (28.3%) 40s: 124 (35.1%) 50s: 71 (20.1%) 60s: 20 (5.7%) 70s and older: 3 (0.8%)

■ Survey Period

2026.2.21-3.16

What do you think about foreign capital and individuals buying land such as urbanization control areas?

What do you think about foreign capital and individuals buying land such as urbanization control areas?

First, when asked, 'What do you think about foreign capital and individuals buying Japanese land in urbanization control areas and areas outside city planning?', the most common response was 'Clearly opposed (e.g., resolutely opposed)' at 42.2% (149 responses).

This was followed by the demographic answering 'Opposed with conditions (acceptable if there are restrictions)' with 129 responses (36.5%). Combining these, it became clear that [about 80% (78.7%)] of respondents showed an intention of 'opposition or concern' toward the current unrestricted sale of land to foreigners and foreign capital.

From these results, it is evident that many people harbor a strong sense of crisis for Japan's future from the perspectives of 'national security (defense)' and 'protection of resources such as water sources and agricultural crops' regarding the purchase of cheap, vast land in urbanization control areas and areas outside city planning by foreign capital.

However, what is noteworthy is the large number of respondents who chose 'Opposed with conditions.' They are not simply rejecting it exclusively, but many voices are calling for the creation of certain rules, such as 'reciprocity (if we cannot buy land in their country, Japan should also restrict it),' 'possession of permanent residency,' and 'operation through fixed-term land leases.' It can be said that anxiety over the 'delay in legal frameworks' for cross-border real estate transactions is heavily reflected in these results.

1st: Clearly opposed - 149 responses - 42.2%

2nd: Opposed with conditions - 129 responses - 36.5%

3rd: Cannot say either way - 45 responses - 12.8%

4th: In favor - 30 responses - 8.5%

Please tell us in detail about the purchase of Japanese land by foreign capital and individuals

Please tell us in detail about the purchase of Japanese land by foreign capital and individuals

Next, we asked in slightly more detail about the specific reasons why they hold approval or disapproval regarding foreign capital and individuals purchasing Japanese land, such as urbanization control areas and areas outside city planning.

1st: I think it should be resolutely rejected due to issues with defense, resources, and the production of agricultural crops. 78 / 353 (22.1%)

2nd: Opposed due to defense and resource issues. 71 / 353 (20.1%)

2nd: Certain restrictions should be established, such as holding permanent residency. 71 / 353 (20.1%)

4th: I want to oppose it, but I also think it cannot be helped. 45 / 353 (12.8%)

5th: If Japanese cannot purchase land in their country, Japan should do the same. 44 / 353 (12.5%)

6th: It would be acceptable if it were a fixed-term land lease. 14 / 353 (4.0%)

7th: As long as selling the land improves the Japanese economy, that is fine. 11 / 353 (3.1%)

8th: I have concerns, but there's no point in complaining about it. 9 / 353 (2.5%)

9th: It is enough to just secure bases important for defense. 5 / 353 (1.4%)

9th: We should increasingly sell to foreign capital and individuals. 5 / 353 (1.4%)

The survey results showed that there is an extremely strong sense of caution and a reaction of rejection regarding Japanese land being acquired by foreign capital and individuals.

'Resolutely opposed. Defense, resources, agricultural crops