Japan grapples with problem of decaying, vacant homes

Tokyo

JAPAN'S problems with a rapidly ageing and declining population have been widely publicised. Less so however, is that there is vast stock of ageing and dilapidated houses that could turn many population centres into "ghost towns" in the fairly near future.

The Vacant Houses Special Measures Act, scheduled to take full effect on May 26, marks a belated attempt to deal with the problem of more than eight million vacant houses (nearly 14 per cent of the total housing stock). But more fundamental measures are needed to deal with the issue, analysts say.

"The number of unused and abandoned vacant houses is high enough to impede efforts to stimulate communities," says Hidetaka Yoneyama, senior researc…