As high-net-worth individuals around the globe reevaluate their investment strategies, a clear and deliberate shift is taking place: affluent Singaporean investors are increasingly turning their attention to Tokyo real estate.

Cities like London, New York, and Hong Kong were once the conventional pillars of global wealth. But today, Tokyo is emerging as a “quiet overachiever”—a discreet yet powerful hub for asset preservation and portfolio diversification.

Why Tokyo, and why now?

The driving force lies not in pricing or trends, but in something far more fundamental—regulatory soundness, long-term stability, and end-user demand.

■ It was the weight of taxation that sparked the shift.

In 2023, Singapore significantly increased its Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) for high-net-worth real estate buyers.

With rates climbing as high as 60% for foreign investors, the policy sends a clear signal: global capital is no longer welcome.

In response, many investors began asking a crucial question: “Is there a more efficient, investor-friendly market elsewhere?”

What they discovered was Japan—a market defined by low tax burdens and regulatory transparency.

■ Tokyo is not only accessible—but remarkably ownership-friendly.

Japan imposes virtually no restrictions on foreign property ownership.

• No visa is required for purchase.
• Properties can be held under corporate names.
• Annual fixed asset taxes are notably low—typically ranging from just 0.1% to 0.3% of assessed value.
• Income tax is clearly defined through separate taxation, allowing for efficient tax scheme.
• No punitive levies such as vacancy taxes targeting high-net-worth owners.

For investors from heavily regulated markets, Japan stands out as a rare example of truly investor-friendly real estate ownership.

■ Balance between personal use and investment potential.

For Singaporean investors, Tokyo’s appeal goes beyond just “investment value.”

Many have visited Japan multiple times, nurturing a deep cultural affinity that makes Japan feel but livable. As a result, Tokyo ranks remarkably high as a “place you’d want to live.”

• Frequent visits with family
• Interest in enrolling children in international schools
• A fondness for Japanese cuisine, along with a love of Japan’s cleanliness and safety
• A desire to spend extended stays after retirement

In other words, Tokyo is not just a “target of investment,” but a “viable lifestyle choice.” It uniquely satisfies both financial returns and emotional value, securing a rare position in the global luxury property market.

■ A Shift from Capital Gains to Stability

Among Singapore’s affluent investors, there is a clear shift away from the traditional focus on capital gains toward long-term asset preservation through stable ownership.

Features of Central Tokyo condominiums:

• Land is limited, and new supply is exceptionally scarce
• Rental demand remains stable with strong liquidity in the resale market
• Properties are well-maintained, ensuring minimal value depreciation
• Long-term ownership offers advantages in tax planning and inheritance planning

These features make Tokyo’s prime real estate an ideal candidate for investors seeking “assets to hold for life”.

■Tokyo’s Unique Advantage: A Market That Hasn’t Been Overbought

From an investor’s perspective, one particularly compelling factor is that Tokyo is still far from being over-saturated.

In cities like New York, London, and Hong Kong, international capital has already poured in at scale—marking the end of an era when almost anyone could profit from buying.

Prices in Tokyo have steadily risen over the past decade, but this growth is rooted in real demand and large-scale urban redevelopment, not speculative bubbles. The result is a healthy and sustainable upward trend, rather than a volatile spike.

In short, Tokyo remains a market where discerning investors can still buy with confidence—and exit with ease. It stands as an ideal destination for those seeking a prudent, long-term investment.

■ Summary — Tokyo: A City Valued for Substance, Not Just Trends

The growing interest from Singapore’s high-net-worth individuals in Tokyo is not a fleeting trend.

It reflects a deliberate choice—made after comparing leading global real estate markets—based on a rare combination of regulatory transparency, ownership stability, and cultural appeal.

What they seek is not flash, but integrity. Not short-term gains, but long-term trust.

For investors who share these values, Tokyo is emerging as the most rational—and most beautiful—choice available today.