July 2026: Existing Home Sales Volume Index at 132.4 (up 0.2% month on month), Corporate Transaction Volume Index at 290.1 (down 2.1%)The number of second-hand homes sold is about 30% above the 2010 average
On October 30 MLIT released the Existing Home Sales Volume Index and the Corporate Transaction Volume Index for July 2026 (Reiwa 8) under trial operation. Both are built from the number of ownership transfer registrations arising from building sales, with the 2010 average set at 100. The Existing Home Sales Volume Index, which shows the volume of existing homes purchased by individuals, stood at 132.4 (up 0.2% month on month), while the Corporate Transaction Volume Index, covering transactions involving corporations, stood at 290.1 (down 2.1%).
Key points
- The Existing Home Sales Volume Index (seasonally adjusted) was 132.4 in total, up 0.2% month on month. Excluding units under 30 square metres the total was 120.8, up 0.6%
- Within that index, detached houses were 132.5 (up 1.1% month on month) and condominiums 131.5 (down 0.4%); condominiums excluding units under 30 square metres were 106.1 (down 0.4%)
- The Corporate Transaction Volume Index (seasonally adjusted) was 290.1 in total, down 2.1% month on month. Residential in total was 316.9 (down 1.4%) and non-residential 240.1 (down 3.1%)
- Within the residential part of the Corporate Transaction Volume Index, detached houses were 371.7 (down 1.9% month on month) and condominiums 268.2 (down 0.3%)
- Both are indices with the 2010 average set at 100, built from the number of ownership transfer registrations arising from building sales. They are released under trial operation
What to do in practice
- Set expectations for brokerage commission income on the basis that transaction volume for existing homes is flat at a level roughly 30% above the 2010 average
- Given that the volume of transactions involving corporations fell from the previous month, allow a range for the timing at which corporate sale and purchase deals close
Using the registrations filed at the legal affairs bureau that say the owner of a building has changed, the government turns the volume of second-hand home sales into a number. Setting the 2010 average at 100, July 2026 came to 132.4. That means about 30% more than the 2010 average. The volume of sales involving companies was 290.1, which was slightly lower than the previous month.
Points
- The volume of second-hand homes sold was 132.4, about 30% above the 2010 average of 100
- Compared with the previous month it rose only 0.2%, so it was almost flat
- The volume of sales involving companies was 290.1, down 2.1% from the previous month
What the words mean
- registration
- Recording the owner of land or a building in the national register. It is filed when the owner changes
- index
- A number that sets one year at 100 and shows how many times that level today is. 132.4 means 1.324 times
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT): MLIT, Existing Home Sales Volume Index for July 2026 (Reiwa 8) released (trial operation)
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT): MLIT, Corporate Transaction Volume Index for July 2026 (Reiwa 8) released (trial operation)
This article summarizes and explains materials published by government agencies and is not advice on any individual case. Rules can change, so for actual procedures and decisions always check the latest original materials and consult professionals such as tax accountants or labor and social security attorneys. English, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese versions are translations prepared from the Japanese articles for convenience. If anything differs, the Japanese text and the original source take precedence.