Reportable acquisitions have a 20-day deadline
The Ministry of Finance states that when a non-resident makes a reportable acquisition of real property located in Japan or rights related to such property, a report must be submitted to the Minister of Finance through the Bank of Japan within 20 days after acquisition. Rights can include leasehold, superficies and mortgage rights in addition to transactions involving real estate ownership. Filing can be completed on paper or through the online system, and a resident agent in Japan may submit the report on behalf of the buyer.
The reporting framework expanded from April 2026
The Ministry of Finance promulgated amendments to the relevant reporting ordinance on February 20, effective April 1, 2026. The reform brought additional categories of acquisitions into the post-transaction reporting system. Certain exceptions exist, including specified acquisitions for residential use, non-profit activities and the non-resident's own office. However, a vacation home or second home may not qualify as residential use for this purpose. Whether a report is required therefore depends on the facts of the acquisition.
This filing is separate from property registration
FEFTA reporting is separate from the sales contract, ownership registration and tax procedures. Overseas buyers often handle identity verification, notarized documents, international transfers and registration at the same time, creating a risk that the separate reporting deadline is overlooked. The Ministry of Finance's English guidance also states that the report itself must be prepared in Japanese. Non-resident purchasers should identify the reporting requirement before closing and incorporate the deadline into the transaction schedule.