INFLUENCE OF MANDATORY FLOOD RISK DISCLOSURE IN REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS ON RESIDENTIAL CHOICES:

Since 2020, the disclosure of flood risk information has been mandatory for all real estate transactions in Japan. This study examines how this requirement has affected people’s awareness of flood risk and choice of residence. An online questionnaire was conducted among residents who had relocated to 5 municipalities in the Tokyo metropolitan area within the 2005-2025. The results indicate that residents who moved after the disclosure requirement was enforced showed greater awareness of living within inundation-prone areas; in comparison, the number of people who independently sought information and prioritized flood risk in their residential choices remained largely unchanged.