Why Japan Has 9 Million Empty Homes

Why does Japan have more than 9 million vacant homes? In 2023, Japan counted just over 9 million vacant dwellings — about 13.8% of the country's housing stock. But “vacant” does not necessarily mean abandoned. Some homes are available for rent or sale. Some are used only occasionally. And millions of others sit empty for very different reasons. So why aren't these homes simply sold, rented, or demolished? In this video, we look beyond the image of an abandoned house and explore the systems behind Japan's growing vacant-home problem. We examine how population decline, inheritance, location, the way older homes are valued, renovation and demolition costs, property-tax rules, and changing housing demand can leave a home with nobody inside it. Japan is trying to respond through changes to vacant-home policy, local government intervention, vacant-house banks, and other measures designed to bring some properties back into use. But the deeper problem is not one simple cause. Japan doesn't have 9 million empty homes for one simple reason. It has millions of different mismatches between houses, owners, buyers, places, and time. The house is empty. The system behind it isn't. Japan is full of ordinary things that make no sense—until you see the system behind them. Japan In Plain Sight explores the hidden systems, habits, and ideas behind everyday life in Japan. If you enjoy discovering how Japan really works, subscribe for more. #Japan #Akiya #EmptyHomes