🏠 Property Insurance for Old Houses in Japan: A Complete Guide for Foreign Buyers & Akiya Owners

Buying an old house in Japan (including akiya) is an exciting opportunity—but before moving in, you need to understand how to protect it. This guide covers the types of home insurance in Japan, costs, retrofitting benefits, and the best insurance providers for foreigners.

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1. Why Insuring an Old Home in Japan is Different

Older Japanese homes come with history, character—and higher insurance considerations.

• Higher risk factors: Outdated wiring, aged roofing, and older seismic standards can make these homes more vulnerable to fire, water damage, and earthquakes.
• Higher premiums: Older and rural homes often cost more to insure, especially if materials are rare or repairs are complex.

Keyword note: This is especially true for akiya properties in rural Japan, where replacement costs can be high.

2. Types of Home Insurance in Japan

Fire Insurance (Kasai-hoken / 火災保険)

• Covers fire, lightning, explosion, wind, snow, and theft.
• Does not cover damage from earthquakes, tsunamis, or volcanic eruptions—you’ll need earthquake insurance for that.

Earthquake Insurance (Jishin-hoken / 地震保険)

• Must be purchased as an add-on to fire insurance.
• Covers earthquake, volcanic eruption, and tsunami damage.
• Often excludes high-value personal items like jewelry or cash.
• Operates under a public–private system to stabilize payouts after major disasters.

SEO Tip: When searching in Japanese, these are often bundled as 火災保険＋地震保険.

3. Home Insurance Costs for Old Houses in Japan

• Fire insurance: ¥10,000–¥20,000/year
• Earthquake insurance: ¥7,300–¥32,600/year
• Average combined: ~¥50,000/year (may be higher for older, rural homes)

Pro Tip: Your premiums will depend on age, structure type (wood vs. reinforced concrete), and location risk.

4. Retrofitting: Lowering Risks and Premiums

If your home was built before 1981, it may not meet modern earthquake resistance standards.

• Free seismic inspections are often available from local governments.
• Grants & loans exist for retrofitting older homes.
• Insurers may offer up to 50% premium discounts for homes upgraded to modern seismic standards.

5. Choosing the Right Home Insurance Provider in Japan

• Hoken Gaisha (保険会社): Standard insurance companies.
• Kyosai (共済): Cooperative insurers—sometimes cheaper and more flexible for older homes.
• For foreigners, English support can make claims and renewals much easier.

6. Best Home Insurance Providers for Foreigners in Japan

If you’re a non-Japanese resident buying an old home, consider these foreigner-friendly insurance companies:

Provider:

TRINITY Inc.: Full English support for fire, property, and casualty insurance.

‍Chubb Insurance Japan: Global insurer with property coverage and English-speaking assistance.

‍AIG Japan: Broad coverage options with multilingual support; trusted international brand.

‍Tokio Marine Nichido: Japan’s largest insurer; works well through brokers familiar with foreign clients.

‍Sompo Japan: Strong overseas network; more flexible underwriting for non-residents.

💡 If buying remotely or managing a second home, services like:

‍MailMate can handle documents, premium payments, and translations in English.

7. Summary Table: Property Insurance for Old Houses in Japan

Aspect Details

‍Fire Insurance: ¥10,000–¥20,000/year; excludes quake damage

Earthquake Insurance: ¥7,300–¥32,600/year; add-on to fire insurance

Older Homes: Higher premiums due to risk and repair difficulty

Retrofitting

Grants, loans, and premium discounts available

Foreigner-Friendly Providers: TRINITY, Chubb, AIG, Tokio Marine, Sompo

Final Thoughts

Owning an old house in Japan is rewarding, but proper insurance coverage is essential—especially for akiya in rural areas or homes built before 1981. By combining fire and earthquake insurance, considering retrofitting, and working with a foreigner-friendly provider, you can protect your investment and navigate Japan’s insurance market with confidence.