The number of abandoned or vacant houses, known as ‘akiya’ in Japanese, has been increasing steadily since the late 1970s according to the Housing and Land survey carried out regularly by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, which is responsible for national statistics. By 2008, unoccupied properties accounted for 13.1% of total housing and there were calculated to be 2.68 million abandoned houses nationwide. The trend is attributed to a proliferation of newly built homes during Japan’s period of rapid economic growth, which later became vacant as home owners died and their children did not take responsibility for the property. In rural areas some local authorities have begun to address the problem using schemes such as the ‘Akiya Bank’, through which they help to advertise empty properties and encourage new families to move to the area. However, the problem is not limited to rural areas. As the number of empty urban properties rises, neighbouring residents are becoming concerned with the negative effect on the neighbourhood appearance and the implications for disaster management and crime.
In response to a surge in complaints, local authorities are looking for solutions. Some have embarked upon a demolition strategy, made possible by a recent relaxation of legislation by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism which now permits the demolition of all such properties, rather than only those in areas experiencing depopulation as was previously the case. However, demolition brings its own challenges. Changes in building law standards mean that it may not be possible to rebuild on the same land, there are tax implications for the land owners and local authorities must ensure there is no risk of legal action from the original owners.
Elsewhere, local authorities are investigating a more innovative approach. Yokosuka City in Kanagawa prefecture has generated much media interest in its houseshare initiative, which provides a significant subsidy to allow students to rent a previously empty house at a cheap rate (less than £70 a month each). In return for this discount they are expected to support elderly residents and contribute to community life, thereby simultaneously tackling social welfare issues arising from a rapidly ageing population, another serious concern in the local area.
Yokosuka City Planning Department carried out a survey which identified the Shioiri district of the city as the worst affected. Here, life has become difficult for residents – the survey found that most houses do not have space to park cars, and because of the hilly location many streets can only be reached via steep steps. As more convenient houses were built within commuting distance to Tokyo and Yokohama the percentage of empty houses in the area has risen to as high as to 18.5%. It is difficult to attract tenants, but because the cost of demolition is high they remain empty, eventually becoming derelict.
Yokosuka City have used the area as a model case to trial the houseshare initiative. Using a fund specifically established to tackle the issue of depopulation, it has contributed over half of the money necessary to renovate the house (which had stood empty for 10 years) and also pays one third of the rent each month to the owner. The two student tenants fulfil their side of the bargain by checking on the elderly residents, helping to put out rubbish and carrying shopping, and reporting back to the local authority each month. For the students, who are both studying social care and rehabilitation at university, this has been a good opportunity to experience the needs of the elderly first-hand. The older residents welcome youngsters, and hope the project may lead to further regeneration of the area. Furthermore the landlord, who cannot afford demolition, is pleased that the house can be used to support the development of the area.
The planning behind the scheme are now aiming to remarket the district as convenient for students, promoting its proximity to transport links and its impressive scenery. Given the positive response from all sides, as well as the potential to tackle the two pressing problems of an ageing population and empty properties with just one policy, they are now are investigating the expansion of the programme beyond this model case.
Sources:
Housing and Land Survey 2008, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication: http://www.stat.go.jp/data/jyutaku/2008/ (Japanese)
Survey into the situation of vacant houses in Yato area, Yokosuka City Planning division 2011 http://www.city.yokosuka.kanagawa.jp/4805/tokei/chosei/cdata/documents/honbun.pdf (Japanese)
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism report on Vacant Houses: http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/000042301.pdf (Japanese)
Media Coverage of the vacant houses issue in Japan:
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000219367
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000219373
https://www.nhk.or.jp/shutoken/ohayo/report/20121128.html (japanese)
http://www.asahi.com/edu/news/TKY201208150336.html (Japanese)
Picture (c) Jordy Theiller/Wikimedia Commons
