The Trend of Chinese Investments in Japanese Temples: Opportunities and Controversies

The Shift from Real Estate to Religious Properties

With China’s economic slowdown, an increasing number of wealthy Chinese individuals are investing overseas. Initially focusing on residential real estate and leisure resorts in Japan, these investors are now turning their attention to acquiring Japanese religious corporations, specifically temples. Currently, Japan is home to approximately 74,000 temples, with an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 of these temples being “empty” or without a resident priest. A study within the Soto sect revealed that the number of ordinations has halved over the past 20 years. Coupled with Japan’s severe rural depopulation and aging demographics, many temples struggle to sustain themselves through traditional means like religious services and maintaining relationships with parishioners. Consequently, some priests have had to take on additional jobs to support their temples’ basic operations.

The Legal Loophole and Property Sales

Temples and shrines in Japan enjoy tax benefits due to their status as religious corporations. This has not gone unnoticed by real estate brokers and certain opportunistic individuals who are keen to acquire the legal status of these religious…