{"id":45293,"date":"2025-05-11T17:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-11T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.villagehouse.jp\/?p=45293"},"modified":"2025-06-17T11:09:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T02:09:06","slug":"understanding-jiko-bukken-what-makes-properties-stigmatized","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.villagehouse.jp\/en\/japanese-apartment-life\/understanding-jiko-bukken-what-makes-properties-stigmatized\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Jiko Bukken: What Makes Properties Stigmatized?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In Japan, jiko bukken<\/em> (\u4e8b\u6545\u7269\u4ef6) is a term commonly used in the Japanese real estate industry to refer to \u201cincident apartments\u201d or \u201cstigmatized properties\u201d as they are more commonly known in English. Officially, the term for these properties is shinri-teki kashi bukken<\/em> (\u5fc3\u7406\u7684\u7455\u75b5\u7269\u4ef6) which literally translates to \u201cpsychologically defective property\u201d. It is a term used in the Japanese real estate industry to describe a property with a negative past.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there is nothing physically wrong with the apartment or house or its location, there is something undesirable about the property due to its history, resulting in such properties often being 30% to 40% cheaper than the normal rent or sale price in its area.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If such properties interest you, read on. Speaking of properties, if you\u2019re on the hunt for an apartment in Japan, check out Village House<\/a>! There are no deposits (depending on credit check results and contract details), no renewal fees, no key money, and no handling fees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psychological defects <\/h2>\n\n\n
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According to Japanese law, the \u201cBuilding Lots and Building Transaction Business Law\u201d requires property owners and real estate agents to be legally obligated to disclose any and all defects that may be detrimental to the prospective tenant, physiologically or psychologically. However, due to the vagueness of what constitutes \u201cdefects\u201d, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) established new guidelines<\/a> in October 2021 for property owners and real estate agents on how to manage and disclose stigmatized properties based on real-life cases and legal precedents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the ways a property becomes a jiko bukken<\/em> is when an adverse event occurs on or near the property that affects the property\u2019s value and marketability. The occurrence of such events leaves a \u201cpsychological defect\u201d on the property, and buyers and renters may, for example, be more hesitant to rent or purchase a property where a death has occurred, especially a death that was a result of suicide or violence.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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Causes <\/h2>\n\n\n
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Death is one of the most common reasons for a property to become jiko bukken<\/em>, whether it be from natural causes, an accident, suicide, or homicide. No matter how the death occurred, people often tend to be uncomfortable buying or renting a property with such dark history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s not only death that can leave a property with \u201cpsychological defects\u201d. Properties and areas with the following issues may also be classified as jiko bukken<\/em> properties as they affect their marketability and value: <\/p>\n\n\n\n