Foreign Population in Tokyo Soars as Chinese Buyers Seek Condos

Over the past five years, central Tokyo's Chuo, Bunkyo, and Chiyoda wards have seen a marked increase in foreign population, local statistics show. While Shinjuku, Toshima, and Arakawa wards continue to host the highest proportions of foreign residents, the significant rise in central areas highlights a distinct trend. This increase is primarily attributed to affluent Chinese individuals seeking high-quality residential and educational facilities, often choosing areas with high-rise condominiums.

Significant Growth in Central Wards

Population data as of June 1 compared with figures from five years prior, in June 2019, shows that the foreign population across Tokyo's 23 wards rose from 475,457 to 570,389. This is an increase of nearly 20%. In contrast, the Japanese population remained essentially unchanged.

Chuo Ward saw the biggest growth. The area is known for bustling commercial areas like Ginza and Nihonbashi, as well as office spaces and waterfront districts featuring numerous high-rises. There, the foreign resident count surged by approximately 50% over five years, from around 7,800 to about 11,700. Similarly, Bunkyo and Chiyoda, both central wards, experienced an increase of around 30% each.

This demographic shift is part of a broader trend involving about 820,000 Chinese residents, who make up a quarter of the approximately 3.41 million foreigners living in Japan.

Chinese Residents Seeking Condos

In Chuo Ward, Chinese residents now constitute 51% of the foreign population, up from 43% five years ago. In Bunkyo Ward, this figure has risen from 43% to 54%. Bunkyo Ward is renowned for its educational environment and is home to prestigious institutions, including the University of Tokyo and several national elementary and junior high schools.

*High-rise buildings in the Harumi district of Tokyo's Chuo Ward. (File photo)*

The president of a Tokyo-based real estate agency, which serves foreign clients, notes that high-rise condominiums in waterfront areas like Harumi are enhancing Chuo Ward's appeal. Meanwhile, Bunkyo Ward is attractive mainly because of its schools, drawing parents who seek educational opportunities for their children.

The agency is managing the sale of a ¥215 million JPY resale condominium on the 41st floor in downtown Tokyo. Among the 25 prospective buyers who came to inspect the property was a family affiliated with a Japanese language school. They had children aged three and in middle school and were planning to move from their house in Meguro Ward.

Convenience, Education, and Reputation

In terms of foreign population distribution by ward, Shinjuku Ward has about 13%, Toshima Ward around 12%, and Arakawa Ward just over 10%. Both Shinjuku and Ikebukuro in Toshima Ward continue to draw Chinese residents due to their convenient transportation and reputation.

Notably, Arakawa Ward's foreign population exceeded 10% for the first time this May. The ward attracts many international students due to its numerous Japanese language schools and university programs tailored for those with lower Japanese proficiency. Chinese students constitute about 38% of this demographic, but there is also a growing presence of students from Korea, Nepal, Vietnam, and Myanmar.

(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: The Sankei Shimbun