Knowledge
Real Estate Terminology
General terms
A
Apāto (アパート) – Apartment
Akiya (空き家) – Vacant houses in Japan
B
Baibai kakaku (売買価格) – Sale price
Baibai keiyaku (売買契約) – Sale and purchase agreement
Bukken (物件) – Property (listing)
C
Chimoku (地目) – Land category
Chintai hoshō seido (賃貸保証制度) – Rental guarantee system
Chintai-shaku keiyaku (賃貸借契約) – Lease agreement
Chinryō (賃料) – Rent
Chūko (中古) – Second-hand / Pre-owned
Chūkai tesūryō (仲介手数料) – Brokerage fee
Chūshajō (駐車場) – Parking lot
D
Deguchi senryaku (出口戦略) – Exit strategy
Dōro fukuin (道路幅員) – Road width
Dyū derijensu (デューデリジェンス) – Due diligence
F
Fudōsan (不動産) – Real estate / Property
Fudōsan fando (不動産ファンド) – Real estate fund
Fudōsan shutokuzei (不動産取得税) – Real estate acquisition tax
Furatto 35 (フラット35) – Flat 35 mortgage
G
Ganri kintō hensai (元利均等返済) – Fixed principal & interest repayment
Gankin kintō hensai (元金均等返済) – Fixed principal repayment
H
Hendō kinri (変動金利) – Variable interest rate
Hensai (返済) – Repayment
Hikiwatashi (引き渡し) – Property handover
Hikkoshi (引越し) – Moving
Hoshō gaisha (保証会社) – Guarantee company
Hoshōnin (保証人) – Guarantor
Hyōmen rimawari (表面利回り) – Gross yield
J
Jiban (地盤) – Ground condition
Jimusho (事務所) – Office
Jisshitsu rimawari (実質利回り) – Net yield
Jūyō jikō setsumei (重要事項説明) – Explanation of important matters
Jūtaku hojo (住宅補助) – Housing subsidy
Jūtaku rōn (住宅ローン) – Home loan / Mortgage
Jūtaku shien seido (住宅支援制度) – Housing support system
K
Kainushi (買主) – Buyer
Kanrihi (管理費) – Management fee
Karinushi (借主) – Tenant
Kashi tanpo sekinin (瑕疵担保責任) – Defect liability
Kashinushi (貸主) – Landlord
Keiyaku futekigō sekinin (契約不適合責任) – Liability for contract non-conformance
Keiyaku kaijo (契約解除) – Contract termination
Keiyaku kōshin (契約更新) – Contract renewal
Kenchiku kakunin (建築確認) – Building confirmation
Kenpeiritsu (建ぺい率) – Building coverage ratio (BCR)
Kinri (金利) – Interest rate
Kodate (戸建) – Detached house
Kōdō (公道) – Public road
Kōei jūtaku (公営住宅) – Public housing
Kotei kinri (固定金利) – Fixed interest rate
Kotei shisanzei (固定資産税) – Fixed asset tax
Kubun shoyū (区分所有) – Condominium ownership
Kyasshu furō (キャッシュフロー) – Cash flow
Kyōekihi (共益費) – Common area maintenance fee
Kyōkai (境界) – Boundary
Kyōyū mochibun (共有持分) – Co-ownership share
Kūshitsuritsu (空室率) – Vacancy rate
M
Mai hōmu (マイホーム) – My home
Manshon (マンション) – Condominium
Mochi ie (持ち家) – Owned home
N
Nini baikyaku (任意売却) – Voluntary sale
Nobeyuka menseki (延床面積) – Total floor area
O
Ōnā chenji (オーナーチェンジ) – Ownership change
R
Reikin (礼金) – Key money
Rentai hoshōnin (連帯保証人) – Joint guarantor
Rifōmu (リフォーム) – Remodeling
Rinobēshon (リノベーション) – Renovation
Rōn shinsa (ローン審査) – Loan screening
S
Saburīsu (サブリース) – Sublease
Sashiosae (差押え) – Foreclosure
Sen’yū menseki (専有面積) – Exclusive floor area
Setto bakku (セットバック) – Setback
Shakuchiken (借地権) – Leasehold rights
Shataku (社宅) – Company housing
Shigaika chōsei kuiki (市街化調整区域) – Urban control area
Shigaika kuiki (市街化区域) – Urbanized area
Shikikin (敷金) – Security deposit
Shinchiku (新築) – Newly built
Shisan kachi (資産価値) – Asset value
Shoyūken (所有権) – Ownership
Sokochi (底地) – Land owned by a landlord (under a leasehold property)
T
Takuchi tatemono torihiki gyōhō (宅地建物取引業法) – Real Estate Brokerage Act
Takuchi tatemono torihikishi (宅地建物取引士) – Licensed real estate agent
Tatemono (建物) – Building
Tetsukekin (手付金) – Earnest money deposit
Tenpo (店舗) – Store / Shop
Teitōken (抵当権) – Mortgage
Tochi (土地) – Land
Tōki (登記) – Registration
Tōroku menkyozei (登録免許税) – Registration and license tax
Tōshi bukken (投資物件) – Investment property
Toshi keikaku kuiki (都市計画区域) – Urban planning area
U
Urinushi (売主) – Seller
UR chintai (UR賃貸) – UR rental housing
Y
Yachin shūnyū (家賃収入) – Rental income
Yōsekiritsu (容積率) – Floor area ratio (FAR)
Yōto chiiki (用途地域) – Zoning area
Yūshi (融資) – Loan
Key Terms Used in the Important Matters Explanation Document (Jūyō Jikō Setsumeisho) in Real Estate Contracts
A
Akiya tokurei (空き家特例) – Special exemption for vacant houses
B
Bukken (物件) – Property (real estate)
Bukken jōhō (物件情報) – Property information
C
Chintai keiyaku (賃貸契約) – Lease agreement
Chintai fushin (賃貸不信) – Lease uncertainty
Chinryō (賃料) – Rent
Chūkai tesūryō (仲介手数料) – Brokerage fee
D
Daisan tanpoken (第三担保権) – Third-party security right
Daisan shai (第三者) – Third party
Dōro fukuin (道路幅員) – Road width
E
Ekitai seisan (液体清算) – Liquidation
Eigyō kyoka (営業許可) – Business license
F
Fudōsan (不動産) – Real estate / Property
Fudōsan torihiki gyōsha (不動産取引業者) – Real estate broker
Fudōsan shutokuzei (不動産取得税) – Real estate acquisition tax
G
Gaitō (該当) – Applicable
Gōkei chinryō (合計賃料) – Total rent
H
Hikiwatashi (引き渡し) – Property handover
Hoshō gaisha (保証会社) – Guarantee company
Hoshōnin (保証人) – Guarantor
Hōki (放棄) – Waiver / Abandonment
I
Ikkatsu henkan (一括返還) – Lump sum repayment
Inkuraimu (インクライム) – Encumbrance
J
Jikobukken (事故物件) – Stigmatized property
Jimusho (事務所) – Office
Jisshitsu rimawari (実質利回り) – Net yield
Jūyō jikō setsumeisho (重要事項説明書) – Explanation of important matters
K
Kainushi (買主) – Buyer
Kainushi hoshō (買主保証) – Buyer guarantee
Kanrihi (管理費) – Management fee
Kariuke nin (借受人) – Lessee
Kashidashi (貸出し) – Lending
Kashi tanpo sekinin (瑕疵担保責任) – Defect liability
Keiyaku kaijo (契約解除) – Contract termination
Keiyaku kōshin (契約更新) – Contract renewal
Keiyaku futekigō sekinin (契約不適合責任) – Liability for contract non-conformance
Kenchiku kakunin (建築確認) – Building confirmation
Kenpeiritsu (建ぺい率) – Building coverage ratio (BCR)
Kinri (金利) – Interest rate
Kotei shisanzei (固定資産税) – Fixed asset tax
Kōdō (公道) – Public road
M
Manshon (マンション) – Condominium
Mochi ie (持ち家) – Owned home
N
Nini baikyaku (任意売却) – Voluntary sale
O
Ōkyū shūri (応急修理) – Emergency repair
Ōnā chenji (オーナーチェンジ) – Ownership change
Oyakudachi (お役立ち情報) – Useful information
R
Reikin (礼金) – Key money
Rentai hoshōnin (連帯保証人) – Joint guarantor
Rifōmu (リフォーム) – Remodeling
Rinobēshon (リノベーション) – Renovation
Rōn shinsa (ローン審査) – Loan screening
S
Saburīsu (サブリース) – Sublease
Sashiosae (差押え) – Foreclosure
Sen’yū menseki (専有面積) – Exclusive floor area
Setto bakku (セットバック) – Setback
Shakuchiken (借地権) – Leasehold rights
Shinchiku (新築) – Newly built
Shisan kachi (資産価値) – Asset value
Shiyō jōken (使用条件) – Usage conditions
Shiyō kyoka (使用許可) – Usage permit
Shōnin keiyaku (承認契約) – Approval contract
Shoyūken (所有権) – Ownership
Shutokuzei (取得税) – Acquisition tax
Sokochi (底地) – Land owned by a landlord (under a leasehold property)
T
Takuchi tatemono torihiki gyōhō (宅地建物取引業法) – Real Estate Brokerage Act
Takuchi tatemono torihikishi (宅地建物取引士) – Licensed real estate agent
Tatemono (建物) – Building
Tetsukekin (手付金) – Earnest money deposit
Teitōken (抵当権) – Mortgage
Tochi (土地) – Land
Tōki (登記) – Registration
Tōroku menkyozei (登録免許税) – Registration and license tax
Tōshi bukken (投資物件) – Investment property
Toshi keikaku kuiki (都市計画区域) – Urban planning area
U
Urinushi (売主) – Seller
UR chintai (UR賃貸) – UR rental housing
Y
Yachin shūnyū (家賃収入) – Rental income
Yōsekiritsu (容積率) – Floor area ratio (FAR)
Yōto chiiki (用途地域) – Zoning area
Yūshi (融資) – Loa
About Akiya
Vacant Houses in Japan: Causes, Impact, and Solutions
Overview
Japan faces a growing issue of vacant houses, known as “Akiya” (空き家). Due to an aging population, urban migration, and inheritance complications, many homes are left abandoned across the country. As of the latest government surveys, millions of properties remain vacant, presenting economic, social, and environmental challenges.
Causes of the Vacant House Problem
Aging Population & Declining Birth Rate
Japan has one of the world’s highest aging populations, with many elderly homeowners passing away or moving to nursing homes.
With fewer young people and shrinking household sizes, there is less demand for homes, especially in rural areas.
Urban Migration & Depopulation of Rural Areas
Many younger generations move to major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya for work and education.
Rural towns experience severe depopulation, leading to an increase in abandoned homes.
Inheritance Complications
When homeowners pass away, heirs may inherit properties they do not want or cannot maintain.
Legal complexities, high inheritance taxes, and unclear property ownership discourage heirs from selling or using inherited properties.
Legal & Financial Barriers to Selling or Demolishing
High costs of renovation or demolition prevent property owners from taking action.
Strict building regulations and zoning laws may limit redevelopment opportunities.
Low Demand for Old Houses
Many Japanese prefer newly built houses over older properties.
Traditional wooden houses deteriorate quickly and require expensive maintenance, making them unattractive to buyers.
Impact of Vacant Houses
Economic Issues
Declining property values in areas with many abandoned houses.
Local governments lose tax revenue as property values decrease.
Safety & Environmental Concerns
Vacant houses can become structurally unsafe, increasing risks of collapse.
Overgrown properties attract pests, affecting the surrounding environment.
Crime & Community Decline
Abandoned homes can become hotspots for illegal activities.
Neighborhoods with many vacant houses experience a decline in community engagement and security.
Government & Private Sector Responses
Akiya Banks (Vacant House Databases)
Local governments and private companies run online “Akiya Banks”, listing vacant houses available for purchase at low prices.
Incentives for Buyers & Renovation
Government subsidies and tax breaks are offered for renovating old homes.
Some municipalities provide financial support to young families or businesses willing to relocate to rural areas.
New Property Tax Policies
Owners of vacant homes face higher property taxes to encourage proper maintenance, sale, or demolition.
Foreign Investment & Tourism Use
Some Akiya are being converted into guesthouses, vacation rentals, or co-working spaces to attract foreign buyers and tourists.
Deregulation & Revitalization Projects
The government is relaxing zoning and building regulations to allow redevelopment of abandoned properties.
Urban renewal projects aim to repurpose vacant spaces into commercial or community hubs.
Future Outlook
With Japan’s declining population projected to continue, the number of vacant houses will likely rise. However, innovative policies, financial incentives, and private-sector engagement may help repurpose Akiya for new uses, such as tourism, remote work housing, and sustainable living. Addressing this issue is crucial for revitalizing rural communities and stabilizing Japan’s real estate market.
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