Japan's Unoccupied Homes Increase to 3.85 Million in 2023, Devastating Rural Areas

Japan's unoccupied homes increase to almost 4 million to a staggering 3.85 million in 2023, an 80% increase from 2003, according to a government survey released on May 1, 2024. The increase in vacant properties, known as 'akiya' in Japanese, is attributed to the country's shrinking and aging population, which is particularly devastating rural areas.

The total number of homes in Japan rose to 65.02 million, a 2.61 million increase from 2018. However, unoccupied homes in Japan hit a record now account for a record high 13.8% of the total, or one in every seven homes. The Ministry of the Interior's Statistics Bureau cited an increase in cases where the homes of elderly people living alone become vacant after they die or move to care facilities as the key reason for the rising number of abandoned properties.

Many of these vacant homes belong to people living in major cities who have inherited them from relatives but are unable or unwilling to maintain them. Of the 9 million unoccupied dwellings, 4.43 million are available for rent, 330,000 are for sale, and 380,000 are empty second homes, while the status of the remaining 3.85 million is unknown.

Why this matters: The increase in abandoned homes poses significant challenges for Japan, including safety risks from unattended properties, the hollowing out of rural communities, and the strain on local governments to address the issue. The phenomenon underscores the far-reaching consequences of Japan's demographic crisis, which saw the country record more deaths than births in 2023.

Authorities have called on owners to demolish, sell, or repurpose these properties, and have enacted a law to designate more buildings as subject to official warnings. However, the government faces challenges in identifying owners and the high costs associated with renovating or demolishing the often dilapidated structures. "The problem of vacant homes is a deeply rooted issue that goes beyond just the housing market," a ministry official stated, emphasizing the need for a multifaceted approach to address the crisis.

Key Takeaways

• Japan's unoccupied homes surge to 3.85 million, 80% increase since 2003.
• Vacant homes now account for 13.8% of total homes, a record high.
• Aging population and rural decline drive the rise in abandoned properties.
• Authorities struggle to identify owners and address the high costs of renovation/demolition.
• The vacant home crisis underscores Japan's demographic challenges and requires a multifaceted approach.