Japan is facing a growing real estate dilemma as its population declines: millions of empty homes, or akiya, scattered across the country. Government data shows more than nine million vacant properties—roughly 14% of the nation’s total housing stock—are sitting unused, with many in disrepair.
Most of these abandoned homes are in rural areas hit hard by aging populations and youth migration to major cities. The result is a glut of unoccupied houses that weigh down local economies, reduce land values, and place a burden on infrastructure maintenance in shrinking communities
Most of these abandoned homes are in rural areas hit hard by aging populations and youth migration to major cities. The result is a glut of unoccupied houses that weigh down local economies, reduce land values, and place a burden on infrastructure maintenance in shrinking communities