PHOTO: YOUTUBE
As homeownership becomes increasingly expensive in many parts of the world, we travel to Japan, where millions of empty and unwanted houses, known as ‘akiya’, are being sold cheaply or given away. Can foreign buyers help solve Japan’s empty house problem?
“Akiya” (空き家) in Japanese refers to vacant or abandoned houses. The term combines “aki” (空き), meaning “empty” or “vacant,” and “ya” (家), meaning “house.” Akiya are a significant issue in Japan due to the country’s aging population and declining birth rate. Many homes, especially in rural areas, are left unoccupied as the population decreases and younger generations move to urban centers for better job opportunities. The Japanese government and various local municipalities have been implementing measures to address the akiya problem, such as offering incentives for people to purchase and renovate these vacant houses.
Japan Has Millions of Empty Houses. Want to Buy One for $40,000 NZD? | WATCH