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This is a weekly news summary taken from Real Estate Japan’s Twitter feed.  If you’d like to see these articles as they go online throughout the week, follow us on Twitter at “Real Estate Nihon”.

Let’s get started:

Is Japan a glimpse of Europe’s future? (via MercatorNet)

There is further recognition by major media outlets that perhaps global overpopulation is not the only demographic story in town.  Reuters has just published an article on how Japan’s demographic winter and economic malaise are linked and how that country’s example may provide a roadmap for the future of other Western economies.   Click here to continue reading.

Volvo Hires JLL for Global Real Estate (via Globe Street)

Volvo Cars Corp., based here, has hired Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle to provide corporate real estate services. The two companies working on real estate projects across Belgium, Sweden, North America and Japan.  Click here to continue reading.

Ministry plans to enable real estate securitization (via The Daily Yomiuri)

The land ministry announced plans to establish a new system facilitating the securitization of real estate assets to raise private funds as part of efforts to promote seismic retrofitting and redevelopment for deteriorated buildings.  Click here to continue reading.

Swiss Re: Global Earthquake Risk “Vastly Underinsured’ (via Property Casualty 360)

Countries prone to earthquakes remain underinsured, reveals a new report from Swiss Re.  The insurance industry’s contribution to rebuilding efforts differs dramatically from country to country. For example, about 80% of economic losses in New Zealand are covered by insurance but as little as 12 percent of economic losses from Japan are covered, according to Swiss Re report, “Lessons from Recent Major Earthquakes.”  Click here to continue reading.

NORTH AMERICA SEKISUI HOUSE LLC-Newland Real Estate Group LLC Joint Venture (via Market Watch)

NORTH AMERICA SEKISUI HOUSE, LLC (NASH) and Newland Real Estate Group LLC (Newland), through their affiliates, have formed a new joint venture, NASH-NEWLAND LLC, and acquired the largest operating portfolio of residential master-planned communities in the United States. The joint venture has purchased the interests of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and American Newland Communities, LP in 28 master-planned communities, located in 15 markets in 11 states.  Click here to continue reading.

Japanese outflows threaten US Reits (via The Financial Times)

Click here to read the article.  Must use FT login to read the full piece.

REVITALIZING JAPAN — Building a disaster-resistant nation (via The Daily Yomiuri)

This is the second installment in a series of articles examining ways to restore Japan’s vitality.  Click here to continue reading.

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