TL;DR: Japan’s new Owner-Unknown Property Management Orders (Civil Code Arts. 264-2 ff.) let courts appoint managers to oversee, repair—or even sell—land or buildings whose owners cannot be found. Developers, neighbors, and municipalities now have a powerful tool to unlock stalled projects and eliminate blight, but must

TL;DR: Japan’s 2021 reforms modernise co-ownership rules, clarify neighbouring-land rights, and introduce court-appointed managers for owner-unknown property—giving businesses new tools to unlock stalled assets but adding due-diligence duties. Table of Contents 1. Introduction: Modernizing Japan's Foundational Property Laws 2. Reforming Co-ownership (共有 - Kyōyū) Rules:

TL;DR: From 1 April 2024, heirs of Japanese real estate must register ownership within three years or face fines. A simplified “heir-reporting” option buys time, but final registration is still required. US companies and expatriates should prepare cross-border documents early and engage local counsel to avoid penalties and title

TL;DR: Japan’s 2021 land-reform package attacks the “unknown owners” crisis via mandatory inheritance registration, a land-reversion system, relaxed co-ownership rules, and court-appointed managers. Businesses must adapt due-diligence and compliance processes but may gain new tools to unlock stalled projects. Table of Contents 1. Introduction: The Growing Challenge of