Freehold and Leasehold in Japan
In Japan, freehold (所有権 / shoyūken) means you own the land and building outright with no time limit — this is the most common and desirable form of ownership. Leasehold (借地権 / shakuchiken) means you own the building but lease the land from a landowner, typically for 30–50 years with renewal options.
Leasehold properties are cheaper upfront but come with ground rent payments and potential complications at renewal. Most foreign buyers prefer freehold for simplicity and long-term value retention.