Understanding Home Subsidies
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:49 am
I would like to crowdsource some knowledge about home building and the possible subsidies for various parts of a home or even specific areas of the country. Below is what my wife and I learned during our discussions, but we would really love other people's feedback and insight. We are certain there are other subsidy systems or incentives we do not know about.
*disclaimer* most of this information comes from Niigata, since originally my wife and I were looking to buy land and build there.
General or Nationwide Subsidy
Flat35S is a national loan with specific requirements related to energy-efficient design or old-age livability. But in addition to that, there are directed subsidies for homes that meet certain requirements. This was one builder we talked with that had a good grasp in Niigata:
https://kouei-n.co.jp/money/
They have possible subsidies for long-term housing, low carbon housing, and ZEH housing. They said these are individual applications, so it could b possible to receive all 3 - or approx 4.2M JPY in subsidy. I was also told there is a ZEH+ subsidy, but those are more demonstration projects and have a very limited capacity. One architect we spoke with says that the applications fill up after about 1 sec after their release (sounds similar to folks who try to buy graphic cards or PS5 online her in Japan).
Prefectural or City Subsidy
I don't have as good details here, but the home builder in Niigata did say that there were other local subsidies. He mentioned that adding a wood-fire stove could be subsidized and you can also receive free wood pellets (I am guessing for a wood pellet stove). And at the city office we learned from the 'immigration' section that families from metropolitan areas (ie Tokyo) would be eligible for 1M JPY per person to move. This had some connection to building a new house or renovating a used property.
Subsidy Issues
By far the biggest hurdles was finding architects, builders, or construction forms who were familiar with the paperwork. This is because most (all?) the paperwork requires their hanko or the architect needs to be the one to complete the forms and submit them for approval at the city office.
Other Incentives
I read the FB group about building or renovating in Japan and there have been a couple discussions in the past about Solar Panels being subsidized by local governments. There also was a comment about Solar Water Heaters being subsidized by local governments.
Can any other home owners, builders, or folks with subsidy knowledge share their information?
*disclaimer* most of this information comes from Niigata, since originally my wife and I were looking to buy land and build there.
General or Nationwide Subsidy
Flat35S is a national loan with specific requirements related to energy-efficient design or old-age livability. But in addition to that, there are directed subsidies for homes that meet certain requirements. This was one builder we talked with that had a good grasp in Niigata:
https://kouei-n.co.jp/money/
They have possible subsidies for long-term housing, low carbon housing, and ZEH housing. They said these are individual applications, so it could b possible to receive all 3 - or approx 4.2M JPY in subsidy. I was also told there is a ZEH+ subsidy, but those are more demonstration projects and have a very limited capacity. One architect we spoke with says that the applications fill up after about 1 sec after their release (sounds similar to folks who try to buy graphic cards or PS5 online her in Japan).
Prefectural or City Subsidy
I don't have as good details here, but the home builder in Niigata did say that there were other local subsidies. He mentioned that adding a wood-fire stove could be subsidized and you can also receive free wood pellets (I am guessing for a wood pellet stove). And at the city office we learned from the 'immigration' section that families from metropolitan areas (ie Tokyo) would be eligible for 1M JPY per person to move. This had some connection to building a new house or renovating a used property.
Subsidy Issues
By far the biggest hurdles was finding architects, builders, or construction forms who were familiar with the paperwork. This is because most (all?) the paperwork requires their hanko or the architect needs to be the one to complete the forms and submit them for approval at the city office.
Other Incentives
I read the FB group about building or renovating in Japan and there have been a couple discussions in the past about Solar Panels being subsidized by local governments. There also was a comment about Solar Water Heaters being subsidized by local governments.
Can any other home owners, builders, or folks with subsidy knowledge share their information?