Japan’s housing starts in July were 78,263 units (up 7.4 per cent from the same month in the previous year), surpassing the previous year’s result for five months in a row, according to Japan Lumber Journal Tuesday. Starts of owner occupied houses were 25,396 units (up 8 per cent), increasing for three months in a row. Of the owner occupied houses, housing starts financed by private sector were 22,322 units (up 5.4 per cent), increasing for two consecutive months, and those by public sector were 3,074 units (up 30.6 per cent), increasing for five consecutive months.