Condo supply at 44-year low
TOKYO: The number of new condominiums listed for sale in Japan in 2020 fell to a 44-year low, as many developers briefly halted sales promotions during the first state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic, a research institute said yesterday.
The figure dropped 15.2% from a year earlier to 59,907 units, down for the second straight year to hit the lowest level since 49,955 units in 1976, the Real Estate Economic Institute said.
The average unit price was 49.71 million yen ($471,000), up 3.8% from the previous year and topping the previous record for the fourth consecutive year, as labour costs remained high in the construction industry, according to the institute.
Showrooms were closed during the state of emergency that was in place from April to May last year.
By area, the number listed for sale in Tokyo and three neighbouring prefectures of Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba sagged 12.8%, while that in Osaka and five neighbouring prefectures in western Japan dropped 15.8%.
But in Aichi and three other prefectures in central Japan, it jumped 15.8%.
The nationwide figure has been recovering since last summer on growing demand for larger rooms, as more people telework and stay home, the institute said. It predicted the number in 2021 to rebound to 69,000 units, the level seen in 2019.
Facebook provides privacy settings for all personal information while Instagram offers tips to ensure our security after sharing photos with the rest of the world. The problem is how much we know about this.
Facebook’s Privacy Café is coming to Bangkok to test your privacy knowledge on social media from tomorrow until Sunday, from 11am to 8pm at Cha Bar Lido Connect, Siam Square 3 on Rama I Road.
Open to the public, the themed pop-up cafe is an opportunity for Thais to learn more about their privacy and security controls on Facebook and Instagram — as well as the perfect setting for their next story with decorations by Thai illustrator Sundae Kids.
As part of its “Love & Lock: Facebook Privacy Café Virtual Edition” campaign, where Thais can interact with an array of resources and get safety tips through a dedicated online portal, visitors to Cha Bar are invited to take a short quiz to test their privacy knowledge and take photos with cute props.
In return, they will receive a limited-edition bubble milk tea and bottle designed by Sundae Kids and Facebook. Bangkokians can grab the delicious special flavour milk tea and the one-of-a-kind bottle until March 4 or while stocks last.