Reusing Japan’s vacant akiya homes for sustainable living

Japan’s problems with its declining birthrate and greying population are well known. Nearly a third of its population is 65 or older, and the population has continued to decline for the past decade. Rural areas are especially hard hit as younger people move to major cities for job opportunities.

A growing issue of abandoned houses

This issue is one of many reasons behind the increase of vacant houses called akiya in Japanese. A 2018 survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications found that 13.6% of all houses in Japan are abandoned. The shrinking population in and of itself is not the only cause. Other reasons include increasing property taxes, a preference for new houses among Japanese people, as well as people inheriting these properties and not wanting to take responsibility for them.

Abandoned houses may seem harmless, though they cause a number of societal problems. They can negatively impact local communities, affecting the scenery, attracting animals and insects and even attracting criminal activity. There are also lost economic opportunities by leaving these vacant homes unused.

Solar crew promotes ways to repurpose akiya

There are akiya management companies that handle various matters related to vacant homes, such as certifying ownership and providing information and advice. There are also groups trying to improve the vacant home situation to help local economies and communities.

‘Solar crew’ is one such organization that offers a DIY experience for those interested. They offer members a chance to remodel vacant homes and give them a say in how the remodeled homes are used in the future. Remodeled akiya are often used as co-working and community spaces. Members help renovate houses with the support of professionals. Additionally, working on houses helps build friendships between locals and people from outside the community.

Makigumi fixes up disaster-affected houses

Natural disasters can be another cause of vacant houses. For instance, many people in the Tohoku region lost their homes in the aftermath of Japan’s 2011 earthquake. The effects are still felt a decade later. Makigumi is an organization that renovates these abandoned homes in Miyagi Prefecture’s Ishinomaki City and finds various uses for them.

The newly renovated places are often used as rental properties or sharehouses. These properties attract small business owners and artists who find the homes a great place to pursue their professions and preferred lifestyles. Attracting this kind of activity can help with community building and give people options for how they want to live.

Solutions for akiya vital for local economies

For most people, these properties can be a hard sell. Unrenovated akiya can be purchased to live in, but few find the idea of living in them attractive. Websites called ‘akiya banks’ can be found for local regions in Japan. However, in some places, there is not even a real estate agent to handle akiya due to a lack of interest. Local governments have offered initiatives to people who live in these vacant homes, such as generous allowances and ownership after 15 years.

Because there is so little enthusiasm for taking on these homes, organizations such as solar crew and Makigumi help breathe new life into them and let them be reused sustainably. Some houses may inevitably have to be demolished if they are in too poor condition to be used. However, many akiya can be repurposed in creative ways that benefit local economies in desperate need of revitalization. Just as other materials and goods should not be wasted whenever possible, abandoned houses can contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.

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