Japan’s housing starts increased 8.2% year-on-year in July 2026, slowing significantly from an 18.6% surge in the previous month. Still, the latest reading marked the fourth consecutive month of growth, surpassing market expectations of 7.9% growth. Owner-occupied homes rose just 0.4% (vs 15.7% in June), while rental housing growth eased markedly (10.0% vs 24.6%). In the meantime, built-for-sale homes continued to grow solidly (14.6% vs 14.2%). At the same time, starts of two-by-four homes fell further (-8.5% vs -7.4%), while prefabricated housing starts dropped 6.9%, reversing a 13.7% gain in June. source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan

Housing Starts YoY in Japan decreased to 8.20 percent in July from 18.60 percent in June of 2026. Housing Starts YoY in Japan averaged 1.91 Percent from 1961 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 67.60 Percent in March of 1972 and a record low of -44.00 Percent in September of 2007. This page includes a chart with historical data for Japan Housing Starts YoY. Japan Housing Starts YoY - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on September of 2026.

Housing Starts YoY in Japan decreased to 8.20 percent in July from 18.60 percent in June of 2026. Housing Starts YoY in Japan is expected to be 5.50 Percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Japan Housing Starts YoY is projected to trend around 0.80 Percent in 2027 and 3.00 Percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-07-31 05:00 AM
Housing Starts YoY
Jun 18.6% 33.9% 12.8% 12.0%
2026-08-31 05:00 AM
Housing Starts YoY
Jul 8.2% 18.6% 7.9% 13.0%
2026-09-30 05:00 AM
Housing Starts YoY
Aug 8.2%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Construction Orders YoY -13.40 2.30 percent Jul 2026
Housing Index 149.19 147.64 points Jun 2026
Housing Starts 66439.00 66344.00 Units Jul 2026
Housing Starts YoY 8.20 18.60 Percent Jul 2026
Price to Rent Ratio 139.80 138.20 points Dec 2025
Residential Property Prices 5.04 4.33 Percent Dec 2025


Japan Housing Starts YoY
In Japan, housing starts refers to the year-on-year change in volume of new housing construction started.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
8.20 18.60 67.60 -44.00 1961 - 2026 Percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
Japan Housing Starts Rise for 4th Month, Growth Slows
Japan’s housing starts increased 8.2% year-on-year in July 2026, slowing significantly from an 18.6% surge in the previous month. Still, the latest reading marked the fourth consecutive month of growth, surpassing market expectations of 7.9% growth. Owner-occupied homes rose just 0.4% (vs 15.7% in June), while rental housing growth eased markedly (10.0% vs 24.6%). In the meantime, built-for-sale homes continued to grow solidly (14.6% vs 14.2%). At the same time, starts of two-by-four homes fell further (-8.5% vs -7.4%), while prefabricated housing starts dropped 6.9%, reversing a 13.7% gain in June.
2026-08-31
Japan Housing Starts Slow Sharply, Still Beat Expectations
Japan’s housing starts increased 18.6% year-on-year in June 2026, easing significantly from a 33.9% surge in the previous month but marking the third consecutive month of growth. The latest reading also comfortably exceeded market estimates of a 12.8% increase, suggesting housing construction remained resilient despite the moderation. Growth slowed across major categories, including owner-occupied homes (15.7% vs. 31.8% in May), rental housing (24.6% vs. 33.3%), and built-for-sale homes (14.2% vs. 39.2%). Meanwhile, starts for two-by-four homes fell 7.4%, reversing a 24.8% increase in May. In contrast, prefabricated housing starts rebounded strongly, rising 13.7% after a 3.4% decline in May.
2026-07-31
Japan Housing Starts Rebound More than Estimated
Japan’s housing starts surged 33.9% yoy in May 2026, sharply accelerating from a 11.4% increase in the previous month and marking the second straight month of expansion. It was also the fastest growth since March 2025, topping market expectations of 31.8%. Growth was broad-based across most segments, including owner-occupied homes (31.8% vs 19.5% in April), rental housing (33.3% vs 17.3%), built-for-sale housing (39.2% vs 3.4%), and two-by-four homes (24.8% vs 64.8%). In contrast, prefabricated housing fell 3.4%, swinging from a 11.1% increase in April.
2026-06-30