Let's say a Japanese living in the US wants to buy a home in Japan as
a second residence; they'll live there for a few months out of the
year, but otherwise the house will be empty (or might be rented as a
vacation home for friends). They have the cash in hand to purchase the
house so won't need a mortgage, but they might take one for if there
are any tax benefits of doing so since the rates are so low in Japan.

What other non-utility expenses will that person need to investigate?
Taxes come to mind; the person is hoping to find a place in a fairly
rural area that will serve as a retreat, and they've read stories of
some places in Japan that have little to no property taxes in an
attempt to lure homeowners. Are there really such places? What about
the 'ghost towns' that are located in some of the extreme rural areas;
how does a person go about buying a house that has been abandoned and
isn't technically on the market?

Thanks for the help; why the guy can't get this info on his own is
beyond me, but he always brings good wine to our house so I figured
I'd

John W.