世論 What Japan Thinks

Over the first five days of April 2007 MyVoice surveyed its internet community regarding home loans.

Demographics

17,241 members of the MyVoice internet community completed a private internet-based survey. 54% were female, 19% in their twenties, 40% in their thirties, 26% in their forties, and 15% in their fifties. Note that since one needs to be over 20 to get a loan, teenagers were excluded from this survey.

I have a loan, and I fall into the higher brackets in Q3 and Q4. Note that contrary to popular belief, it is not impossible for non-permanent residents to get a home loan, although naturally, any credit scoring that takes place will be rather harsh on those without demonstratable commitment to Japan. I got mine whilst in the process of applying for permanent residency, although they did not ask for any proof that this was actually the case. I am also a full employee (正社員, seishain) of a major company, so that no doubt helped me get a scary multiple of my salary as a loan, one which I am due to be paying off until I am 75…

Research results

Q1: Do you or your spouse have a home loan? (Sample size=17,241)

Yes	32.2%
Used to, but now repaid it	10.3%
No, but plan to take one out	5.3%
No, and don’t plan to	52.2%

Q2: What type of loan did/do you have, or what type are you planning on taking out? (Sample size=those with, had or thinking about a loan)

Full-term fixed rate	35.4%
Variable rate	24.0%
Short-term fixed rate	26.4%
Other	1.5%
Don’t know	12.0%
No answer	0.8%

Q3: How much of a loan did you take out? (Sample size=those with or who had a loan)

0 to 500,000 yen	0.3%
500,000 to 1 million yen	0.3%
1 to 2 million yen	0.6%
2 to 3 million yen	0.9%
3 to 5 million yen	2.5%
5 to 7 million yen	3.5%
7 to 10 million yen	7.1%
10 to 15 million yen	13.9%
15 to 20 million yen	16.6%
20 to 25 million yen	15.6%
25 to 30 million yen	12.9%
30 to 40 million yen	11.1%
40 to 50 million yen	2.6%
Over 50 million yen	1.4%
Can’t remember	4.3%
Don’t want to answer	5.2%
No answer	1.4%

Q4: How much of your loan is currently outstanding? (Sample size=those with or who had a loan)

0 to 500,000 yen	11.9%
500,000 to 1 million yen	3.9%
1 to 2 million yen	7.4%
2 to 3 million yen	7.5%
3 to 5 million yen	12.3%
5 to 7 million yen	10.3%
7 to 10 million yen	10.1%
10 to 15 million yen	11.0%
15 to 20 million yen	3.9%
20 to 25 million yen	2.9%
25 to 30 million yen	1.2%
30 to 40 million yen	0.8%
40 to 50 million yen	0.3%
Over 50 million yen	0.3%
Can’t remember	10.0%
Don’t want to answer	4.9%
No answer	1.3%

Q5: If you were to take out a loan or change your lender, who might you select? (Sample size=17,241, multiple answer)

Government Housing Loan Corporation	22.3%
Regional bank	7.9%
Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Bank	6.9%
Public financial institution other than Government Housing Loan Corporation	6.7%
Mitsui Sumitomo Bank	4.9%
Mizuho Bank	4.6%
Shinsei Bank	4.0%
Credit union, credit association	3.9%
JA Bank	2.6%
Sony Bank	2.3%
Risona Bank, Saitama Risona Bank	2.2%
Loan and trust company	0.9%
Second Association of Regional Banks member	0.7%
Sugura Bank	0.6%
Life insurance company	0.3%
Aozora Bank	0.3%
Other	3.9%
Don’t know	53.0%
No answer	5.6%

Q6: If you changed your loan terms or took out a new one, etc, which type would you select? (Sample size=those with or who had a loan)

Full-term fixed rate	38.2%
Variable rate	8.0%
Short-term fixed rate	20.6%
Other	0.9%
Don’t know	29.9%
No answer	2.2%