Japan’s problem of vacant homes has drawn global media attention, but the situation may not be as dire as once predicted. While a 2015 report estimated a vacancy rate of 20.1 per cent by 2023, the actual figure was 13.8 per cent, thanks in part to policy reforms, awareness campaigns and grassroots efforts. Yet challenges remain amid an ageing population. Japan’s evolving approach offers valuable lessons for other countries similarly facing rising vacancy rates and demographic shifts.
New publication: Seeing the glass half full amid Japan’s vacant housing crisis
Julia Olsson has published an article in East Asia Forum on how Japan has been tackling its vacant housing problem through policy reforms and awareness campaigns, offering lessons for policymakers worldwide.