1,000,000 yen “immigration subsidy” and support for starting a business, zero medical expenses for children… Recommendations for a relaxed life in an “empty house” in a rural area

Do high prices and rising housing costs require a change in thinking?

Many people are reaching the limits of their frugal lifestyles, choosing even the cheapest groceries in the face of high prices. Housing prices have also skyrocketed, with the average sales price of a new condominium in central Tokyo now exceeding 100 million yen.

How about changing your mindset and instead of working in a big city to raise housing costs, consider moving to a new city or changing jobs to drastically reduce housing costs?

While land prices and condominium prices are skyrocketing, the number of vacant houses is increasing, with some 9 million units nationwide. Many owners of vacant houses are having trouble dealing with them and wish to transfer or rent them at a reasonable price. Using such vacant houses to drastically review household expenditures may be one way out.

Many households are strained by mortgage and rent payments, but how much of their monthly consumption expenditure is spent on housing?

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ “Report on the Survey of Family Income and Expenditure” for 2011 (household size: 2.2 persons), “housing expenses” (rent, land rent, and repair and maintenance of facilities) accounted for 8.1% of the average monthly consumption expenditure of 247,322 yen, at 21,141 yen. This is only the average value for the entire category.

According to the ’19 data from the “National Household Income Structure Survey” conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications every five years, by age group, those under 30 and in their 30s have a high proportion of housing expenses. In particular, the ratio of “rent (housing expenses)” is particularly high for those under 30, accounting for 24.1% of the total consumption expenditure of 168,522 yen.

Among households headed by a couple with a husband in his 30s (1.81 gainfully employed persons), more than half are dual-earners, and housing costs account for 14.5% of the total consumption expenditure of 267,486 yen. Among single-person households, housing costs account for 25.2% of the ¥154,659 in consumption expenditures for males under 40 and 26.8% of the ¥160,415 in consumption expenditures for females under 40.

If you are feeling the squeeze on housing costs, one dramatic remedy is to utilize “vacant houses.

More than one-tenth of all housing units in Japan are vacant!

The ever-increasing number of “vacant” houses is also becoming a social problem due to neglect. Asami Okada, PR Manager of Ject One (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo), which supports the utilization of vacant houses, says, “I think the number of vacant houses will continue to increase, but vacant houses are difficult to find on the market. There are many people who do not want to let go of them or do not know what to do with them,” she said.

A ’23 survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications also showed that the number of vacant houses in Japan totaled 9,002,000, accounting for 13.8% of the total housing units, both all-time highs.

According to Ject One, vacant houses that are no longer occupied due to resettlement or inheritance of family homes tend to be less expensive than ordinary properties. However, such properties are often poorly managed, deteriorate quickly, and require repairs. Mr. Okada of Ject One says, “The real question is whether it is just cheap or not.

But,” says Okada of Ject One, “you need to know whether the property is just cheap or whether it is really in bad shape. It is dangerous not to just look on the Internet, but to actually visit the site and check. For example, you should look for leaks, check the condition of the pillars, and see if the plumbing is ready for use.

Because of these circumstances, buying and selling vacant houses often leads to financial troubles. Mr. Okada says, “Between individuals, it is easy to get into trouble over what you say or don’t say. Although a commission is charged, having an intermediary intervene is a peace of mind fee.

Local governments have taken action to address the problem of vacant houses, and sometimes subsidies are available for repairs. In addition, there are also programs such as support grants for those who move to the area and settle in, so it is advisable to investigate on an individual basis.

So, how should one look for a vacant house? Whether you want to buy or rent, Okada says, “First, imagine where you want to live, and then look in the area where you want to live.

Many vacant houses are not on the market, but there are several ways to look for them.

One is a local real estate agency. They may have information, including properties that are not on the market, and you can consult with them. Local agencies “are closely tied to the community, and they may have some treasures, such as bargains,” says Okada.

Another option is to search the “vacant house banks” operated by local governments. Local governments and others publish information from owners of vacant houses on their websites and in their PR magazines. Since there is no intermediary involved, there is no fee, but to prevent problems, an intermediary can be asked to handle the search.

In addition, consult with a nationwide specialist such as Ject One. This is the use of a privately operated “vacant house matching service.

Although Okada says it is difficult, there is also a way to actually drive around the area to find vacant houses and negotiate directly with the owners.

Attractive “support programs for immigrants” in various regions

However, for those who find it difficult to find a vacant house without any clues, there is a way to select the area you would like to live in from among municipalities with high vacancy rates.

There is a ranking of municipalities in terms of vacant house rates (see separate report). The ranking is based on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ Housing and Land Survey, which calculated the percentage of vacant houses based on the total number of houses in each municipality in 2011.

At the top of the ranking are vacation home areas such as Karuizawa Town, Nasu Town, and Atami City, where the cost of living may be high. Also at the top of the list are areas where depopulation is rapidly progressing, making it highly difficult to actually live there.

The following municipalities have been selected as reference information, taking into consideration these circumstances, regional characteristics, and support systems of each municipality.

Tosashimizu City (Kochi Prefecture):

Tosashimizu City has a vacant house rate of 39.5%. Tosashimizu City is located in the southwestern part of Shikoku, on Cape Ashizuri in Kochi Prefecture. According to the city’s website, it takes about two and a half hours by car from Kochi City. The city is blessed with nature, including oceans, mountains, and rivers, and marine sports are popular. The area is good for people who like nature and want to raise their children while enjoying outdoor sports.

The city website offers vacant properties as rental housing for immigrants. In terms of immigration support, the city provides up to 1 million yen in immigration subsidy to those who move from the 23 wards of Tokyo under certain conditions, such as making the new residence their home.

In addition, the city offers a program to support the opening of vacant storefronts, with a maximum of 500,000 yen for up to a quarter of the cost of opening a storefront, as well as extensive support for those engaged in fishing and farming.

There is also a system in which citizens can receive free medical care for high school students and younger at the hospital counter and free childcare. In addition, the city provides support up to 2.1 million yen for the renovation of vacant houses under certain conditions.

Miyoshi City (Tokushima Prefecture)

Miyoshi City has a 37.6% vacant house rate. Miyoshi City is located in the western part of Tokushima Prefecture, almost in the center of Shikoku, and was created through the merger of Ikeda Town and other towns. It is about a 70-minute drive from central Tokushima City and Takamatsu Airport (Kagawa Prefecture).

According to the city website, households from outside the prefecture with children living in a vacant house will receive an incentive of 300,000 yen, plus 50,000 yen per child if they have two or more children.

As a subsidy for renovating a vacant house, two-thirds of the renovation cost (up to 2 million yen) will be provided. Entrepreneurs can receive up to 1 million yen in subsidies for starting a business, and for vacant stores, there is a system to support one-half of the renovation costs (up to 1.5 million yen) as a subsidy for revitalization support projects. Childcare support includes a monthly childcare support subsidy for infant families of 30,000 yen, and interest-free scholarships of 6,000 to 24,000 yen per month for high school students.

◇Miyazu City (Kyoto Prefecture)

Miyazu City has a 34.5% vacant house rate. It is located in the southeastern part of the Tango Peninsula in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture and is home to Amanohashidate, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan. It takes about 2 hours from Kyoto City by train or car. Although the city faces the Sea of Japan, it is nestled within Wakasa Bay, making the sea relatively calm and rich in natural blessings such as marine products.

According to the city website, up to 1 million yen will be jointly provided by the prefectural and municipal governments for residents of the 23 wards of Tokyo or commuters who move to the city to start a business or work. Up to 1.8 million yen is also available for the renovation of vacant houses.

◇Shima City (Mie Prefecture)

Shima City has a 31% vacant house rate. Shima City is located in the southern part of the Shima Peninsula in Mie Prefecture, about 2 hours from Nagoya by train.

The city has a rent system to promote migration of young people and households raising children. Up to 240,000 yen (maximum 20,000 yen per month x 12 months) is provided to those under the age of 40 who intend to settle down, and up to 720,000 yen (maximum 20,000 yen per month x 36 months) to those working in primary industries. If an immigrant from within the prefecture turns a vacant house into a house or store, two-thirds of the renovation cost (maximum 1,000,000 yen) will be subsidized, and if from outside the prefecture, five-sixths (maximum 1,250,000 yen) will be subsidized.

These are for reference only. If you find an area of interest in the “Vacant House Rate Ranking,” we encourage you to check the website of that municipality.

When choosing a vacant house, Mr. Okada of Ject One says, “Prices are lower in rural areas, but if you buy, it may be difficult to move if something happens. But if you rent, you can try it out,” he advises.

Local governments in rural areas especially want young households up to their 30s or 40s to move to these areas. Many have support programs for such age groups. People with children are especially appreciated,” says Okada. It may be a good idea to change your mindset from a frugal lifestyle in the face of high prices, and live a carefree life in an empty house in a rural area.