TOKYO -- Rental housing starts in Japan likely exceeded 400,000 for the first time in eight years in 2016 amid a nationwide surge in apartment construction to save on inheritance taxes.
Full-year data due out this month from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is certain to show housing starts up for a second straight year. Much of this was driven by rental housing starts, which likely rose 10% to 420,000, making up more than 40% of the total.
