Japan's Empty Homes Crisis: Millions of 'Akiya' Sit Vacant

Japan currently has around nine million empty homes. These are not unfinished projects or abandoned construction sites, but houses and apartments where nobody lives anymore. Some still have curtains on the windows, while gardens have grown wild, roofs are slowly collapsing, and entire neighbourhoods are becoming quieter every year. Japan’s growing number of vacant homes, known as akiya, has become one of the country’s biggest demographic and economic shifts. According to the 2023 housing survey, nearly 13.8% of all homes in the country are now vacant, the highest level ever recorded. Experts say the problem is linked to population decline, ageing communities, inheritance complications, rural depopulation, migration towards cities, and policies that encourage owners to leave old homes standing. Out of the nearly nine million vacant homes, many are not available for rent or sale, while a significant number are fully abandoned properties with no residents, tenants, or future plans.

Here’s why millions of homes are sitting empty

Many homes are left vacant after families inherit them and move to different cities for work or lifestyle reasons. Over time, owners may lose connection with the property or find it too difficult and expensive to manage.

Japan’s property tax system encourages owners to keep empty houses standing, as land with a residential building receives major tax reductions, sometimes nearly one-sixth of the rate charged on cleared land. Demolishing a property can sharply increase taxes.

High demolition costs also discourage owners from removing old homes. Demolishing a simple wooden house can reportedly cost around one to one-and-a-half million yen, which often makes little financial sense when the property has low resale value. Experts say the combination of tax benefits and demolition expenses makes leaving homes untouched the easiest option.

Inheritance complications are another major reason behind vacant homes. Properties are often divided among multiple heirs across generations, with some owners living far away, overseas, or unaware they own a share.

Selling, demolishing, or maintaining inherited homes usually requires agreement from all owners, while unclear ownership records and incomplete inheritance registration can lead to “frozen ownership”, where no action is taken for years because ownership becomes too complicated to resolve.

What happens when homes stay abandoned for decades

As homes remain empty for years, their condition gradually worsens. Without regular maintenance, roofs begin leaking, wooden frames weaken, and mold spreads inside the structure. Overgrown gardens and pest problems also become common. Local authorities sometimes step in when abandoned properties begin posing risks to nearby residents or public spaces. Structurally unsafe buildings can affect surrounding homes and create additional financial pressure for local communities already dealing with shrinking populations. Many akiya reportedly remain untouched for decades, becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to restore with time.