Housing starts in Japan rose 7.3 percent in January from a year earlier to 88,797 units, up for the second consecutive month, the government said Friday.

The robust housing performance was due to increases in starts on all three categories -- owner-occupied homes, homes for rent and homes for sale -- the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said.

Starts on homes for rent gained 10.8 percent to 35,038 units, for the second consecutive monthly rise.