Akiya 空き家

Akiya simply means "empty house". Japan's 2023 Housing and Land Survey counted around 9 million vacant homes, about 13.8% of all housing — many of them inherited family homes in rural areas.

For owners abroad, the word usually means one of two things: a cheap house bought through an akiya bank, or a family home inherited and left empty. Either way, an empty Japanese house deteriorates quickly without regular airing and checks, and can attract official attention if neglected.