Vacant House Investment: Finding Value in Abandoned Homes

The number of vacant houses is on the rise in Japan. Abandoned properties left to decay are potential arson risks for nearby residents. But now, investors—many of them young company employees—are buying these houses for low prices to renovate and rent out. Some local governments are even turning to them to help find affordable homes for the aged and people with low incomes. We look at how investors are finding ways to turn old homes into sources of income, and are solving social problems along the way.

Guest:
Nakagawa Hiroko (Writer specializing in real estate and housing)