Summary of "ДОМ В ЯПОНИИ ЗА $1000!? В Японии раздают пустующие дома за копейки | Акия"

Akiya: Empty Houses in Japan

The video discusses the phenomenon of Akiya—empty houses in Japan that are often sold very cheaply or even given away for free due to demographic decline and rural depopulation. Below are the key points and tips presented.

Key Insights on Akiya

Background

Japan faces a severe demographic crisis with a rapidly aging population; over 36% are aged 65 or older.
Young people tend to move to big cities, leaving rural towns and villages increasingly desolate.
Many elderly homeowners die without heirs or interest in maintaining rural homes, resulting in approximately 10 million empty houses (Akiya).

What is Akiya?

The term Akiya means “empty house” (Aki = empty, Ya = house).
These houses are often offered for free or at very low prices by local governments or private sellers to encourage repopulation of rural areas.

Buying Akiya: Costs and Conditions

Although many Akiya are advertised as “free” or very cheap, buyers must consider several additional costs:

Registration fees: Approximately 100,000 yen (~53,000 rubles).
Property tax: Based on cadastral value, with a preferential rate of 1.4%, which can rise to 6% or more if conditions are not met.
Stamp duty: Around 10,000 yen.
Realtor fees: Often 3% of the purchase price plus fixed surcharges.

These costs can add up, making “free” houses costly in practice.

Challenges and Pitfalls

Location and Conditions

Most Akiya are located in depopulated rural areas, requiring permanent residence rather than use as vacation homes.
Some properties are on agricultural land, obliging owners to farm (e.g., grow crops or raise livestock).
Changing land use is difficult and may result in loss of tax benefits.

House Condition

Many houses are in poor condition, often lacking gas, running water, or modern toilets.
Structural repairs and renovations are frequently necessary.
Renovation costs in Japan can be as high or higher than the house’s value.

Legal and Administrative Issues

Buyers may need to locate heirs of previous owners to resolve inheritance issues.
Some houses are protected as cultural heritage sites, limiting modifications.
Houses built before 1981 may be declared unsafe after inspections and must be demolished at the owner’s expense (around 3 million yen).
Contracts often require long-term residence (5–20 years) and may forbid resale during this period.

Government Inspections

Municipalities regularly inspect properties to ensure upkeep and compliance with conditions.
Failure to maintain the property (e.g., mowing grass) can lead to loss of benefits or fines.

Who is Akiya Suitable For?

Akiya properties are best suited for people with clear goals, such as:

Reviving rural villages or developing tourist resorts.
Agricultural entrepreneurs interested in farming.
Those fortunate enough to find well-maintained houses without restrictive conditions.

Additional considerations:

Buyers must already live in Japan with a legal address, bank account, and ideally a Japanese guarantor.
Owning an Akiya does not grant any visa or residency rights.

Additional Notes

Some migrants with expired visas live illegally in abandoned Akiya houses.
The topic is popular internationally, but the reality is complex and often problematic.
The best approach is to work directly with local mayor’s offices for guidance and better options.

Notable Locations and Resources

Nagano Prefecture is mentioned as an example location with available Akiya.
Akiya banks and websites like Zero Estate provide listings.
The speaker shares a Telegram channel for ongoing updates and house listings.
The speaker is currently in Moscow and planning subscriber meetups.

Summary

While Japanese empty houses (Akiya) can be extremely cheap or free, hidden costs, strict conditions, poor house conditions, and legal complications make them a risky investment. They are mostly suitable for those committed to rural living or redevelopment projects. Prospective buyers should thoroughly research and engage local authorities before pursuing such properties.