In Japanese, Akiya translates to “empty house”. The term refers to a residential property that has been unoccupied for a period of at least six months. Many in Japan have moved from rural ...

Tucked away in Japan’s countryside, millions of abandoned homes – known as akiya – sit empty, waiting for a second life. With property prices often shockingly low, these forgotten houses ...

Rural towns are offering grants to new and returning residents in hopes of reviving abandoned homes, as young people move to ...

Discover how Japan's Akiya homes are transformed into vibrant spaces, preserving heritage while adapting to modern needs.

The property became available under the Uozu city government’s “100-yen Akiya Bank” program, which was started this fiscal year to encourage sales of “akiya” abandoned homes by setting ...

Municipalities across Japan can tackle the blight of "akiya" abandoned vacant homes under a revised law that took effect on Dec. 13 aimed at penalizing neglectful property owners. Under the ...

Japan is grappling with a significant challenge as the number of vacant homes, known as "akiya," has surged to a record high of nine million, which is more than the population of New York City.