A cottage industry has spun up in Japan in the last few years offering abandoned houses, known as akiya, to foreigners.
Many countries have stock of underused housing, though Japan is certainly one of the worst offenders. Since the post-pandemic reopening, there’s been a surge of interest in akiya among those priced out of their markets at home. Buyer beware: Living in poorly insulated, socially isolated dwellings in the countryside can often be less "My Neighbor Totoro" and more torturous.
But the boom has highlighted how easy it is for those outside to buy property here. Indeed, the lack of restrictions or even disincentives borders on the absurd. And it’s becoming a political issue. While abandoned houses in rural areas aren’t much of a concern, in Tokyo and other major metropolitan centers where property prices are surging, some are pointing an accusatory finger at international buyers suspected of triggering the rise.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.