To reverse population decline as communities across the nation find themselves with more and more aged residents, municipal governments in parts of the country are providing housing subsidies to entice young families to rent or buy houses and apartments long left vacant.

The number of vacant properties has been rising in rural areas due to aging and declining populations. About 1 in 8 homes in Japan have no one living in them, according to government data.

"Since we have a 5-year-old daughter, a home for a single family is attractive," Hidetaka Imoto, 43, said. "The air is clean here and we feel relaxed with elderly people being around."