Vacant HouseAccording to a survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), approximately two-thirds (68.9%) of Japan’s vacant homes are in buildings built before 1980. Older properties that have been left to rot, particularly those built to the old earthquake construction codes (called ‘kyu-taishin’), can be at risk of collapse and are a danger to neighbours.

44.5% of the vacant homes were built before 1970, and 24.4% were built between 1971 ~ 1980. In 1981, the major change to Japan’s earthquake-resistant construction codes was introduced.

Hidetaka Yoneyama, a senior researcher at the Fujitsu Research Institute, said that the low market value of kyu-taishin properties means that there are many cases where they are simply abandoned.

This content is available to paid subscribers only.

Sharing information on Japan’s real estate market has been a long passion dating back 14 years. However, gathering and preparing this content takes hours and hours each week. By joining our monthly subscription service, you can access over 3,100 articles dating back 14 years. Best of all, you’ll be supporting us in our endeavor to continue to provide investors with on-the-ground, expert information.

To join our paid subscription service and access over 3,100 news articles on Japan's real estate market, please register here.

Already a paid member? Log-in using your details below.