Absentee owners abound on top floors of Tokyo, Osaka condos

PropertyNikkei study finds 48% of units held by nonresidentsHigh-rise Tokyo condominiums are in high demand as investments. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)RAMMARU WATANABE, YUKI KESHIBA and NAOKI ASANUMAJuly 28, 2026 05:19 JSTTOKYO -- Nearly half of all condominiums on the top floors of high-rises in downtown Tokyo and Osaka have owners whose legal addresses are elsewhere, a Nikkei study shows, highlighting a trend that is driving up housing prices.