Japan’s 9 Million (And Growing) Abandoned Homes: The 'Akiya' Phenomenon | CNA Correspondent

Japan has an unusual housing problem – more vacant homes than people wanting to move in. In fact, as many as 9 million of them. As young people move to the big cities to find work, their family homes are left to fall into ruin after their elderly owners die. But these empty houses – known as ‘akiya’ in Japanese – can pose safety hazards and impede redevelopment plans in crumbling rural towns. Increased media spotlight on Japan’s akiya woes is leading to growing interest in akiya - drawing foreign buyers eager to take advantage of the falling yen.

Threatened by dwindling populations, more locals are also seeking to rejuvenate their communities by turning akiya into guesthouses, eateries and stores – often with generous government subsidies. CNA travels across rural Japan to find out how the country is trying to find solutions for akiya and restore its towns to their former glory. Are these vacant homes truly devoid of value, or are they an unexpected treasure trove?

0:00 Japan’s 9 million empty houses
0:36 The shrinking rural town of Uda
3:09 Inside an abandoned clinic
6:28 Why Japan's struggling to reduce akiya
8:59 Impact of rural depopulation
10:02 Sold on akiya: Rising foreign, local interest
12:59 A night’s stay in a refurbished akiya
14:45 Japan’s push for rural revitalisation
16:33 Post-disaster reconstruction: Amagase Onsen
17:59 Tourism and community efforts in Kitsuki Castle Town’s revival

=================
About CNA Correspondent: They're your eyes and ears around the globe. CNA's network of correspondents shines a light on stories from their corners of the world, from groundbreaking events to up-and-coming trends.
=================
#CNAInsider #CNACorrespondent #Japan #Akiya

For more, SUBSCRIBE to CNA INSIDER
cna.asia/insideryoutubesub

Follow CNA INSIDER on:
Telegram: t.me/CNAInsiderSG
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cnainsider/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cnainsider/
Website: cna.asia/cnainsider