The Yen Loans & Axios Solution: Non-Resident Mortgages in Japan 

For years, international investors looking at the Japanese property market faced a frustrating paradox. They could see the potential—stable yields, a weak yen and high-quality construction—but unless they had Japanese residency or a local visa, financing was difficult to obtain. However, the process for financing has become easier with Axios and Yen Loans.

Yen Loans, a new specialized lender, has launched a breakthrough non-resident mortgage in Japan designed specifically for overseas buyers. By partnering with trusted brokerage and management firm, Axios, they are transforming what was once an impossible dream into a streamlined, accessible reality for investors and second-home buyers.

Breaking the Residency Barrier

Yen Loans was created specifically to solve the strict lending criteria of traditional Japanese banks. Unlike domestic institutions that require local addresses or income, Yen Loans do not require you to have a Japanese visa, residency or a local bank account.

Instead, they underwrite loans based on global income, liquid assets and net worth. This shift opens the market to a wide range of buyers, from those seeking high-yield investments to global professionals securing a holiday home in Tokyo. Currently, applicants from Australia, Canada, China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan), the EU, Singapore, Thailand, the UK, the US and Vietnam are eligible to apply, with plans to expand to India, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea.

The Power Couple: Why Axios and Yen Loans Work Better Together

While Yen Loans provides the capital, navigating the Tokyo market requires local expertise. This is where the synergy with Axios becomes the buyer’s greatest asset. For a non-resident mortgage in Japan to be approved, the lender requires that properties be managed by a pre-approved property manager to ensure professional maintenance and asset preservation.

Axios fulfills this role by creating a complete ecosystem for the buyer, whether the goal is rental income or personal use. First, they provide smart sourcing, identifying properties that strictly meet Yen Loans’ specific criteria—typically located in the Tokyo 23 wards and built after 1990. This prevents buyers from wasting time on properties that cannot be financed.

Once a property is identified, the partnership enables Seamless Financing. Yen Loans can move quickly to issue conditional approval, often within 10 business days. Finally, Axios handles ongoing management. For investors, this means tenant placement and rent collection. For second-home buyers, Axios provides vacant property management services, ensuring the home is aired out, cleaned and maintained while you are away, satisfying the lender’s requirement for professional oversight.

Key Financial Terms and Loan Structures

The Yen Loans product is designed to be competitive and transparent, offering terms that make leveraging Tokyo real estate viable for overseas capital.

• Loan-to-Value (LTV): Investors and second-home buyers can borrow up to 60% of the property’s appraised value.
• Interest Rate: Loans carry a floating rate based on TIBOR (the Tokyo Interbank Offered Rate) + 3.50%. As of December 2025, this sits at approximately 4.13% p.a.
• Loan Size & Term: Loan amounts range from ¥10 million up to ¥250 million, with repayment terms available for up to 35 years.

For those who already own property in Japan, Yen Loans also offers refinancing and equity release options. This allows owners who originally bought with cash to unlock liquidity from their Tokyo assets and redeploy that capital elsewhere.

Speed and Remote Simplicity

In the fast-moving Tokyo market, speed is crucial. Traditional Japanese bank loans can take months of paperwork and often require in-person visits. Yen Loans has digitized the experience to solve this bottleneck.

The entire process—from application to settlement—can be completed remotely, with no need to fly to Japan for signing documents. Yen Loans aims for a settlement timeline of about one month from the first inquiry.

FAQ

Do I need Japanese residency or a visa to qualify?

No. Unlike traditional banks, Yen Loans does not require a Japanese visa, residency, or a local bank account. Eligibility is based on global income and assets.

Can I refinance a property I already own?

Yes. Yen Loans offers refinancing and equity release options for those who already own property in Japan, allowing you to unlock liquidity from existing assets.

How long does the approval process take?

The process is designed for speed. Once a property is identified, conditional approval can often be issued within 10 business days, with settlement targeting approximately one month from the first inquiry.

Can I use this loan to buy a second home or vacation property?

Yes. The loan is available for personal use properties (second homes) as well as investment properties. Axios provides specific management services for non-rental/vacant homes to meet lender requirements.

Why Now?

With the yen structurally weak and interest in Japanese real estate at historical highs, the window of opportunity is open. By combining the financial power of Yen Loans with the on-the-ground expertise of Axios, overseas investors finally have a clear, compliant, and leveraged path to owning a piece of Tokyo.

Ready to explore your options? Contact Axios today to find a finance-ready property and start your eligibility check with Yen Loans.

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