LDP Panel Proposes Tighter Land-Buy Controls in Sensitive Areas and Stricter Screening of Foreign Residents

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s policy panel submitted a proposal on June 12, 2026, calling for tighter controls on land acquisitions by foreign nationals in security-sensitive areas and stricter screening of foreign residents. The panel wants the measures incorporated into the government’s annual economic and fiscal policy guidelines scheduled for July.

It calls for “strong and effective” controls to stop individuals or entities considered security risks from acquiring sensitive properties, regardless of nationality.

Yoshitaka Shindo, who heads the policy group, told reporters that the package was aimed at “establishing necessary order and rules,” and creating local communities where everyone can live safely and peacefully. Legal experts have argued that nationality-based restrictions could conflict with domestic law and international agreements.

The proposal avoids explicit nationality criteria and instead focuses on risk assessments applied to any buyer.