Japan’s Issue: 9 Million Empty Houses in an Increasingly Aging Society

May 13, 2024

Updated: May 13, 2024

TOKYO — Japan is⁣ currently grappling with a record-breaking⁣ surge in‍ the number of unoccupied homes, which⁤ has now reached a staggering nine million. This figure is more than enough to accommodate every individual residing⁣ in New York City. This alarming trend is a direct result of the ongoing population decline in the East‍ Asian nation.

In Japan, these deserted homes are referred to as “akiya”, a term typically associated ‍with dilapidated residential properties located in⁣ the ⁢countryside.

However, the ⁤presence of akiya ⁢is increasingly noticeable in major urban areas like Tokyo and Kyoto. This poses‌ a significant ⁣challenge⁣ for the Japanese government, which is already struggling with an⁢ aging ‌population and a concerning‌ decrease in‍ annual birth rates.

“This is a clear indication⁢ of Japan’s dwindling population,” commented Jeffrey ⁣Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies‌ in Chiba. “The issue isn’t about ‌constructing too many houses, but rather the lack of people to occupy⁢ them,” ⁤he‌ added.

As per data gathered by the⁢ Ministry of‌ Internal Affairs and Communications,⁣ approximately 14% of all residential properties ⁢in Japan are currently vacant.

This figure includes secondary residences and homes left empty ‍for various⁢ reasons, such as owners temporarily ‌relocating overseas for‍ work.

Not all ‍these properties are left to decay like traditional⁤ akiya. However, the increasing number of ⁤such homes presents a variety of ⁤challenges for the government and local communities, experts informed CNN.

These challenges include hindering efforts to revitalize deteriorating towns, potential hazards due to lack of maintenance, and increased risks for ‌rescue workers during disasters in a country prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.

The Dilemma of⁤ Excessive‍ Homes

Akiya‍ are often ⁢inherited through generations. However, due to Japan’s declining fertility rate,⁤ many⁢ homes are left without an⁣ heir or ⁤are inherited by younger generations who have migrated to cities⁣ and ⁤see no value in returning to rural‌ areas, experts informed CNN.

Some homes are also stuck in ⁢administrative⁤ limbo as local authorities are unable to identify the owners due to ⁣inadequate record-keeping.

This makes it challenging‌ for the ‍government to rejuvenate rapidly aging rural communities and hampers‌ efforts to attract younger individuals interested in alternative lifestyles ⁣or investors‍ looking for a good deal.

Due to Japan’s tax policies, some homeowners find ‌it ⁣more⁣ cost-effective to retain the property than to demolish it for ⁢redevelopment.

Even if owners are interested⁢ in selling, they may ⁤face difficulties in finding ⁤buyers, stated Hall, from Kanda University.

“Many of ‍these ‍homes lack access to public transportation, healthcare, and even convenience stores,” he explained.

While ⁣trending videos showcasing ‍people, primarily foreigners, buying cheap Japanese homes and transforming them into chic guesthouses and cafes have gained popularity⁢ on social media, Hall cautioned that the process is not as straightforward as it appears.

“The reality is that most of these ‌homes are unlikely to be sold ‌to foreigners. The administrative work and ⁢rules involved are‍ not easily navigable for someone who isn’t fluent in Japanese,” he‌ said.

“These homes won’t⁢ be ‌available ‍for cheap.”

The Issue‍ of Declining Population

Japan’s population has been on a downward trend for several years. As of 2022, the population had decreased by over‌ 800,000 from the previous year, standing at 125.4 million.

In 2023, the number of new ‍births dropped for the eighth consecutive year, hitting a record⁢ low,‍ as per⁤ official data.

Japan’s birth rate ⁢has⁣ been ⁣consistently around 1.3, ⁤significantly lower than the 2.1 required to maintain a stable population. Just last week, Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reported that⁤ the number of children ‌under the age of ⁣15 had decreased for the 43rd consecutive year, reaching a record low ⁤of approximately‍ 14 million as of April 1.

Consequently, the issue of excessive homes and insufficient people is likely to persist for‍ the foreseeable future.

Yuki Akiyama, ‌a professor from the faculty of architecture ⁢and urban design at ⁢Tokyo⁣ City⁢ University, mentioned that vacant homes have⁢ caused problems in the past, such as after the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula in the ⁣central prefecture of Ishikawa in January.

The area affected by the⁤ earthquake had a‍ high number of vacant homes, which posed a threat to residents during the ‌disaster and challenges for post-earthquake reconstruction.

“In ⁣the event of an earthquake or⁢ tsunami, there is a risk that ‌vacant homes ⁢will obstruct evacuation⁣ routes as they collapse and get ⁣destroyed,” he explained.

After the‌ earthquake, authorities faced difficulties in deciding ⁤which damaged properties they could clean up due to unclear ownership, creating “an⁣ obstacle for reconstruction,” Akiyama said.

In other rural areas with a high concentration of vacant homes, ⁢akiya have hindered development, the professor added.

With these properties remaining untouched,‍ “The value of the area will decrease because⁢ it⁢ is a place where properties can’t be bought and sold properly, and ⁢large-scale development can’t be⁣ carried out,” he said.

“People will perceive‍ that this place has no value, and the real estate value of the entire area will gradually decrease.”

Akiyama has developed an AI⁤ program to predict the areas most susceptible to vacant homes. However, he emphasized that the problem isn’t ‍exclusive to Japan⁣ — it has been observed in the‍ U.S. and some European countries.

Nevertheless, he stated ⁣that⁣ Japan’s architectural‍ history and ⁢culture make the situation particularly severe there.

Homes in Japan aren’t valued for their longevity, and unlike in ‍the West, people‍ don’t typically appreciate living in historical buildings.

“In Japan,‍ the ⁤newer the house, the higher the price ⁢it ⁤sells for,” he ⁢concluded.