Japan’s housing starts rose 6.1% year-on-year in August 2026, slowing from an 8.2% increase in the previous month and marking the mildest pace in the current five-month expansion streak. The latest result also fell short of market expectations for a 7.0% gain, as growth eased in rental housing (6.5% vs 10.0% in July) and built-for-sale homes (6.4% vs 14.6%). Meanwhile, owner-occupied housing growth accelerated slightly (1.0% vs 0.4%), while starts of issued housing rebounded sharply (228.6% vs -24.4%) and prefabricated housing returned to growth (12.3% vs -6.9%). Starts of two-by-four homes also declined at a softer pace (-0.9% vs -8.5%). source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan

Housing Starts YoY in Japan decreased to 6.10 percent in August from 8.20 percent in July 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 October of 2026.

Housing Starts YoY in Japan decreased to 6.10 percent in August from 8.20 percent in July of 2026. Housing Starts YoY in Japan is expected to be 10.00 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
2026-08-31 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 6.1% 8.2% 7% 8.0%
2026-10-30 05:00 AM
Housing Starts YoY
Sep 6.1% 2.9% 3.5%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Construction Orders YoY -3.60 -13.40 percent Aug 2026
Housing Index 149.77 149.14 points Jul 2026
Housing Starts 63974.00 66439.00 Units Aug 2026
Housing Starts YoY 6.10 8.20 Percent Aug 2026
Price to Rent Ratio 139.70 138.10 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
6.10 8.20 67.60 -44.00 1961 - 2026 Percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
Japan Housing Starts Rise Less than Estimated
Japan’s housing starts rose 6.1% year-on-year in August 2026, slowing from an 8.2% increase in the previous month and marking the mildest pace in the current five-month expansion streak. The latest result also fell short of market expectations for a 7.0% gain, as growth eased in rental housing (6.5% vs 10.0% in July) and built-for-sale homes (6.4% vs 14.6%). Meanwhile, owner-occupied housing growth accelerated slightly (1.0% vs 0.4%), while starts of issued housing rebounded sharply (228.6% vs -24.4%) and prefabricated housing returned to growth (12.3% vs -6.9%). Starts of two-by-four homes also declined at a softer pace (-0.9% vs -8.5%).
2026-09-30
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