Apartment Leaving Sale/Takeover

Hi,
Have seen sayonara sales, but is it customary for expats to do an all in deal whereby the newcomer pays a large lump sum say 160000YEN for right to take over the apartment and all the items?

I don't think it's customary - for one thing, can a new tenant simply "take over" the apartment?? I think that needs to go through the housing agency... EXCEPT maybe, if the housing rent agreement is between the expat's company and the landlord/agency, and the new person is also from the same company, then they might agree to a new tenant moving in. Still that would require some arrangement, though.

Sounds like a sub-lease, which is usually not allowed in most rental agreements. You will need to look at the original contract to be sure.

You will have to look at the original rental agreement, which will probably not allow a takeover.