On April 22nd, The Cabinet of Japan approved the Cabinet Order for Partial Revision of the Order for Enforcement of the Building Lots and Buildings Transaction Business Law and the Order for Enforcement of the Law for Securing Stable Housing for the Elderly.

In line with the enforcement of the Digital Society Improvement Law, the Cabinet decided to improve the provisions of the law to enable the abolition of hankos on real estate documents such as leasing documents, sales and purchase contracts, vendor agreements, explanation of important matter documents and the electronic delivery of said documents. 

Along with the related provisions of the Digital Society Improvement Act, the new law will be promulgated on April 27th and come into effect on May 18th. 

After the effective date, the electronic delivery and execution of real estate documents will be possible only with the prior consent of both parties of the deal.

Further Reading

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Cabinet Order for Partial Revision of the Order for Enforcement of the Building Lots and Buildings Transaction Business Law and the Order for Enforcement of the Law for Securing Stable Housing for the Elderly Announcement (Japanese only; April, 2022)