Also the depreciation laws for tax savings have a couple of major loopholes which can save you a large amount on income tax.The negatives are close to zero capital appreciation, a declining population due to the lowest birthrate globally (currently dropping 250,000-300,000 people a year), floating rate on most all bank loans (although it's a near certainty these won't be going up anytime soon as its been said if interest rates in Japan hit 2.5% the government would currently go bankrupt), and the highest debt to GDP ratio of any country in the world putting a dampening on future economic outlook.For net yields you're looking at 3-6% in and around Tokyo, 6-8% in the other major cities, and closer to 8-10% outside of that, although there are always lots of exceptions.  

Fortunately, things have worked out.Let me ask you this question, how many MF loans (5+ units) went into default during the Global Financial Crisis?

I bailed many a flipper out in 08 who were counting on helocs to carry the day only to have them frozen like the North pole ( pre global warming.)

It seems like most economists I have listened to and read do not believe that the current global debt load can support a dramatic increase in rates, and for that reason the Fed will not stress the current interest environment much further over the near term.

You have the growing and vibrant parts, with jobs and people wanting to live there and you have shrinking neighborhoods, with no jobs and people looking at how they can move out.

Global Investments, based in England, sends me offers that look too good to be true.The latest example is a completely renovated house in Toledo, Ohio already tenanted with Section 8 tenants and managed by a management company.The price is 40,000 something while the rent is 750 dollars a month.I live far away from Ohio.

The city appears to be strong and vibrant.

In a global real estate mutual fund I own, I reinvest the dividends and capital gains.

There are some ongoing efforts to redevelop the downtown waterfront area into a really vibrant place, there are several military bases there, and a lot of promise for continued employment growth.  

@Andrew LackeyWelcome to BiggerPockets, a place to interact with a vibrant REI group, learn the real estate business and language at near zero cost.