The number of vacant houses in Japan has reached a staggering nine million, surpassing the population of New York City. This rise in unoccupied homes is attributed to Japan’s declining population, with experts pointing to a significant 14% of all residential properties in the country being vacant, as reported by CNN.
These abandoned houses, known as “Akiya,” were traditionally found in rural areas but are now increasingly prevalent in major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, explained that this trend is a direct result of Japan’s population decline rather than an oversupply of housing.
Japan has been grappling with an aging population and low birth rates, leading to a surplus of empty homes. Many of these properties are second homes, temporarily vacated by owners working overseas, or left unoccupied for various reasons.
Due to low fertility rates, some Akiya owners have no heirs to inherit their homes, while others are inherited by younger generations who have moved to urban areas and have no intention of returning to rural regions. Selling these abandoned houses can be challenging, as they are often located in areas lacking access to essential services like public transport and healthcare.
Furthermore, Hall highlighted the difficulties foreigners face in purchasing Akiyas in Japan due to complex administrative processes and language barriers. Despite the abundance of vacant homes, acquiring them at a low cost is not guaranteed, making it a challenging prospect for potential buyers.
The issue of vacant houses in Japan underscores the broader demographic challenges facing the country and the need for innovative solutions to address this growing phenomenon.