The 2-Year Apartment Rule

In Japan, many apartment leases include a "2-year rule" where tenants must pay a penalty if they move out before 2 years, but there is no penalty for staying longer. However, this rule often works unfairly—tenants can be forced to leave at the 2-year mark with no compensation, while landlords benefit from renewal fees every two years. This post explores the imbalance and suggests that tenants should be aware of this hidden cost when signing a lease.