How we compare Japanese mortgages
Rate treatment, fee normalization, effective dates, eligibility, and unknown fields.
We compare mortgages on the same execution date, LTV, term, insurance, and holding period; separate advertised rates from realistic underwriting outcomes; normalize fees into an all-in cost; and flag fields that require a direct dated quotation rather than inferring them.
Key points
- Compare on the same execution date, LTV, term, insurance, and holding period.
- Separate advertised rates from realistic underwriting outcomes.
- Normalize origination, guarantee, and insurance costs into an all-in figure.
- Flag unknown fields as "quotation required" rather than inferring them.
The comparison method
To compare mortgages fairly, we hold the variables constant: the same execution date, loan-to-value band, term, insurance, and expected holding period across every lender. We separate advertised execution rates from realistic underwriting outcomes, because a headline rate assumes the maximum discount and a favorable LTV. We normalize the origination fee (frequently 2.20%), guarantee fee, appraisal, registration, and insurance additions into an all-in internal cost over the holding period — a 2.20% fee on a ¥50 million loan is ¥1.10 million before other costs, which can outweigh a small rate difference for a short hold.
How we handle unknown fields
Some fields cannot be standardized from public pages — the effective all-fee APR, real minimum income, employment-history minimum, non-PR eligibility, appraisal methodology, and the actual obtainable rate. We flag these as requiring a direct dated quotation rather than inferring a number, and we record every rate with its verification date because pricing changes monthly. Where a lender’s page is dynamic or still showed a prior month, we say so rather than presenting a stale figure as current.
Key points to carry away: Compare on the same execution date, LTV, term, insurance, and holding period; Separate advertised rates from realistic underwriting outcomes; Normalize origination, guarantee, and insurance costs into an all-in figure; Flag unknown fields as "quotation required" rather than inferring them. Use the linked guides and calculators for the full decision, and confirm anything material with the lender, a licensed broker, a judicial scrivener, or a tax accountant before you act.
Who this is for
- Readers evaluating our comparisons
- Anyone building their own comparison
What this is not
- A specific lender recommendation
- No comparison replaces a dated written quotation for your specific case; use ours as a screen, not the final word.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare lenders fairly?
Use the same execution date, LTV, term, insurance, fees, and holding period for every quote.
How many lenders should I approach?
Enough to cover a major bank, an online bank, a relationship bank, and any specialist route — without excessive simultaneous inquiries.
How do I find the cheapest mortgage?
Compare the all-in cost — execution rate, fees, insurance, and early-repayment costs — over your holding period, not the headline rate.