[2026, Tokyo's Vacant Houses Will Change] Information Media 'Akikatsu' Launched, Consultation Service 'Akikatsu Counter' Expands to All 23 Wards

Akiya Katsuyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo; Representative Director: Iwao Yuasa; hereinafter "Akikatsu"), which specializes in solving vacant house problems, will launch the information media "Akikatsu" in April 2026. This media condenses know-how for solving problems faced by vacant house owners and future prospective owners.

In addition, the Akikatsu Counter, a consultation service that has responded to and resolved over 1,000 consultations annually from owners and prospective owners, will be rebranded as "Akikatsu Counter for Each Ward" and expanded to accelerate the resolution of the increasingly serious vacant house problem.

The Future: One in Four Houses May Be Vacant by 2043

According to the "2023 Housing and Land Survey" by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the number of vacant houses in 2023 reached a record high of approximately 9 million units. Furthermore, according to the "Vacant House Rate Forecast" (Nomura Research Institute), the number is projected to exceed 18 million units by 2043, with the vacant house rate surpassing 25%.

The government is also strengthening measures to prevent neglect, such as mandating inheritance registration and lifting tax reductions for poorly managed vacant houses through legal revisions. However, the "psychological and physical hurdles" for owners remain high, and a fundamental solution has not yet been reached.

Why is an "Information Media" Necessary?

1. Only a Few Percent Consult Consultation Services

The number of people consulting the "Akikatsu Counter" operated by our company and local government counters is increasing year by year, but it accounts for only a few percent of all owners. Many owners worry alone or give up and neglect their properties before finding a solution, even if they try to act. We will create contact points for owners to consider vacant houses at any time by providing an information website and free paper that summarize know-how and procedures for dealing with the issue.

2. The Essence of the Vacant House Problem is "Emotion," Not "Real Estate"

The biggest reason for neglecting vacant houses is not just "trouble" or "busyness." Extremely personal and delicate emotions, such as "full of memories" or "disagreements among relatives," act as brakes. We believe that stories of others' "success stories" and "failures" through media can move owners' hearts.

3. Creating a Common Language for "Owners" and "Prospective Owners"

At the root of the vacant house problem is often the lack of future discussions between parents (owners) and children (prospective owners). We hope that through "WEB" and "paper," we can create opportunities for family discussions and a common language among those involved.

Three Developments

Consultation Service "Regional Akikatsu Counter"

https://aki-katsu.co.jp/counter/koto

Information Website "Regional Akikatsu"

https://aki-katsu.co.jp/magazine/setagaya

Free Paper "Regional Akikatsu"

Future Development Plans

Beyond expanding the service area, we aim to expand to 200 regions by promoting collaboration with local governments, neighborhood associations, and other regional organizations and businesses.

[April 2026]

Launch of information website and Akikatsu Counter in Tokyo's 23 wards

Inaugural issue of free paper (published quarterly per ward, first issue scheduled for late May)

Official collaboration with Setagaya Ward begins

[From Summer 2026 Onwards]

Launch of information website and Akikatsu Counter in some areas of Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures

[From Autumn 2026 Onwards]

Launch of information website and Akikatsu Counter in some areas with a population of 100,000 or more

Request to Local Communities

For local government departments in charge of vacant house measures

Collaboration Image

Establishment of a one-stop consultation service

Secondary dissemination of vacant house information held by local governments

YouTube channel specializing in vacant house introductions: "Eeyan! Akiya Yan Channel"

https://www.youtube.com/c/akiyayan

Joint hosting of consultation meetings for local residents, implementation of awareness-raising activities for prospective vacant house owners

Distribution of free papers at local government-related facilities

Collaboration Benefits

Establishment of a support system from one-stop consultation for owners and prospective owners to final resolution, without financial measures.

Establishment of a regional collaboration and information dissemination system by acting as a neutral specialized business hub.

Improved efficiency of local government staff operations.

For businesses related to vacant houses (real estate, demolition, legal professionals, tidying up, financial institutions, etc.)

Collaboration Image

Support collaboration for those who have decided on a course of action after consulting with owners and prospective owners.

Collaboration Benefits

Introduction of highly qualified cases pre-screened by the consultation service.

Acquisition of cases that efficiently connect to their main business.

Achieving top-of-mind awareness as a community-based business.

Voice from a collaborating local government (Setagaya Ward, Tokyo)

In 2021, we concluded an agreement on vacant house measures and have been promoting collaboration centered on one-stop consultation services as "Setagaya Vacant House Utilization Navi." We have sincerely guided consultants through their concerns, such as resolving issues where properties could not be demolished due to lack of road access even after consulting with contractors, by involving neighbors.