Japanese real estate essentials: The city planning law : You need to understand before you buy a property in Japan

What is the purpose of the city planning law ?

The city planning law which is set by the Ministry of land infrastructure transport and tourism (MLIT)

exists to regulate urban development.

The law divide Japan into mainly two parts :

1.The city planning area which is regulated by the city planning law

2. The non-city planning area which is not regulated by this law

City planning area is mainly divided into urbanization promotion areas where development is promoted and urbanization restricted areas where the development is restricted.

Urbanization restricted areas consist of agricultural, forestry and fishery projects.

Urbanization restricted areas are not allowed to build residential, office and retail properties.


For example, if you want buy a land in the agricultural areas, you may not able to build your own house.

Don’t forget to check the relevant law and regulation before you purchase such land.

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