Japan has a big problem related to the increasing number of empty houses due to abandonment and other reasons. It is even predicted that the number of empty houses will continue to rise if the anticipatory measures are not successful.
In 2018, there were 62.4 million homes in Japan. The Housing and Land Survey Institute, which conducts research every 5 years, noted that there were 8.49 million empty houses at that time. Even in Tokyo, one in 10 houses is empty.
As quoted by us from Gaijinpot, the condition will get worse. According to the Nomura Research Institute, it is estimated that one-third of all houses in Sakura Country will be empty or abandoned by 2030. Not only that, by 2040 it is estimated that there will be 900 small towns that will no longer exist because of the absence of residents.
There are several reasons why so many Japanese homes are empty. Of course the obvious one is related to declining birth rates and an aging population, but another reason is location.
Most of the akiya, a term for empty houses in Japan, are located far from big cities that offer jobs and complete facilities. Millions of empty homes are scattered throughout Japan, but the rural prefectures of Kagoshima, Kochi, Tokushima and Wakayama are the most numerous.
Money is also another factor why no one occupies these houses. The younger generation often leaves it because they don't want to pay high property taxes. In fact, not infrequently the owner actually does not want to admit ownership because of tax obligations.
Various attempts were made by the Government of Japan to overcome this problem. Among them give it for free or very low price. Apart from that, of course addressing the root of the problem, namely the low birth rate.