[6th National Survey on Vacant Home Owners (2026)] Awareness of Vacant Home Measures Increasing, but Concrete Actions Still Lagging

Kachitas Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Kenshi Arai, Headquarters: Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture), which develops a business for purchasing and renovating used homes, conducted the "6th National Survey on Vacant Home Owners (2026)" in 2026 to contribute to solving the worsening vacant home problem.

◆ Introduction

As a premise for conducting the survey, we conducted a comparative analysis of the "2019 Survey on the Actual Conditions of Vacant Home Owners" conducted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and "the actual conditions of used homes sold to our company." As a result, we recognized a strong correlation between our business domain and the actual conditions of vacant homes nationwide, as the proportion of inheritance and gifts was similar for "how vacant homes were acquired," and the area ratios of "location of vacant homes" were also similar. To further contribute to solving Japan's accelerating vacant home problem, we have been conducting the "National Survey on Vacant Home Owners" since 2021 to grasp market conditions and challenges.

◆ Background and Intent of the "6th National Survey on Vacant Home Owners"

The previous survey (5th) revealed that the first step in addressing vacant homes is "dialogue with family," and those who had such dialogue were about 1.5 times more likely to consider countermeasures than those who did not. On the other hand, a layer of people who postpone dialogue with the reasoning "it's something for the future" still exists, revealing a reality where increased awareness does not lead to concrete action. This time, we continued the fixed-point survey, focusing on the "gap between awareness of issues and action" and the "factors hindering action."

◆ Survey Summary

◆ Survey Results - Key Points -

● Awareness of vacant home measures is increasing, but concrete actions are still lagging

Awareness of the obligation for inheritance registration (70.0%), awareness of the Act on Special Measures for Promoting Measures to Deal with Vacant Houses, etc. (hereinafter referred to as the Vacant Home Special Measures Act) (58.0%), and the rate of dialogue with family (72.5%) all reached record highs. Compared to the start of the survey in 2021, awareness of the inheritance registration obligation has approximately tripled, awareness of the Vacant Home Special Measures Act has increased by about 1.5 times, and the dialogue rate has increased by about 2.2 times, indicating a steady increase in awareness of the vacant home problem.

● Unable to act despite knowing it's important - a 20% gap between awareness and action

However, 25.5% of respondents answered that they "still don't know what measures to take within the next 3 years," meaning one in four people are still inactive, indicating that increased awareness is not directly leading to concrete action. Furthermore, while over 70% of people consider vacant home measures to be important, the priority of taking action decreases to 50%, showing a gap of about 20% between awareness of the issue and action.

The reason for the group with low priority for vacant home measures is that they "are not yet troubled or feel a sense of urgency" (39.7%), which can be attributed to the postponement of the problem.

◆ There are "Three Walls" to Moving Forward with Concrete Actions

So, why are people unable to take action even when they are aware of the issue? The survey revealed the existence of "three walls" that hinder countermeasures.

◆ Age Wall

There are significant differences in awareness and action regarding vacant home measures depending on age.

● By Age Group | Vacant Home Measures Planned Within 3 Years

People in their 20s and 30s have a high intention to take active measures such as selling or renting, and the proportion of those who have not considered measures is half that of those aged 60 and over. On the other hand, those aged 60 and over have the highest proportion of those who have not considered measures among all age groups. When looking at the reasons why measures are "still unknown" by age group, those aged 60 and over choose "still unknown" despite having the option of "using it by myself or my family" for measures within the next 3 years, and select "it might be used by myself or my family in the future" as the reason for it being unknown. In other words, they are unable to take action because they cannot decide whether to "use it" or "let go of it."

● By Age Group | Reasons for Not Prioritizing Action

Furthermore, those aged 60 and over tend to postpone action, stating "no sense of urgency" (51.1%). It has become clear that the triggers for action for those aged 60 and over are the realization of risks and burdens such as "burden of management, taxes, and maintenance costs" and "deterioration."

Prescription for Vacant Home Owners Aged 60 and Over Whose Measures Are Not Progressing (Age Wall)

Providing information that allows them to feel the risks of leaving homes vacant can foster a sense of crisis and potentially convert uncertain prospects like "my family might use it" into concrete actions.

◆ Dialogue Wall

It is thought that dialogue with family and relatives about vacant homes serves to increase the resolution of understanding the risks and options for countermeasures.

● By Dialogue Status | Vacant Home Measures Planned Within 3 Years

While only 19.0% of those who have dialogue with their families have not considered measures, 42.5% of those who have not had dialogue remain undecided.

● By Dialogue Status | Triggers for Action on Vacant Home Measures

Among those who have not had dialogue, the top reason for future action is "no applicable trigger" (29.9%), indicating they cannot even imagine a trigger for action. On the other hand, those who have dialogue have concrete triggers in mind, such as "deterioration/risks," "management burden," and "learned about the benefits of utilization."

● Reasons for Not Having Dialogue and Triggers for Dialogue

The top reason for not having dialogue is "it's too early to talk about it" (30.2%), revealing that dialogue itself does not begin without a certain level of awareness. On the other hand, the top triggers for dialogue were "inheritance" (27.2%), "receiving property tax notices" (21.2%), and "heavy burden of maintenance and taxes" (20.5%), indicating that family discussions only begin when burdens and risks become apparent. In other words, the first step in addressing vacant homes, "dialogue," can only begin when the parties involved experience some form of burden or risk.

Prescription for Those Who Do Not Dialogue with Family About Vacant Homes (Dialogue Wall)

Without dialogue, options are not visible, and triggers for action are not created. Providing information about "burdens and risks" in advance of "antenna-raising moments" such as property tax notices may lead to dialogue and progress in countermeasures.

◆ Regional Wall

● By Region | Reasons for Not Deciding on Measures

In urban areas, suburban areas, and cities, the primary reason for "still not knowing" about vacant home measures is "financial reasons." This is likely due to the difficulty of reaching an agreement among multiple heirs regarding the division of assets, given the high asset value of urban real estate, or a realistic understanding of demolition and renovation costs. In suburban areas, "it might be used by myself or my family" is common, indicating that people do not yet feel the need to let go of the property.

● By Region | Reasons for Postponing Measures

"Not yet troubled or feeling a sense of urgency" is the top reason in all regions, and "likely to incur costs" is the second reason in almost all regions, with little regional difference in reasons for postponement. However, only in urban areas is "unable to discuss with family" (29.4%) the second reason, suggesting that consensus-building among family members may be a barrier in urban areas with high asset values.

● By Region | Contact with Information Related to Vacant Homes

In urban to suburban areas, over half of respondents hear or see information about vacant homes "once a week or more." On the other hand, in depopulated areas, the frequency of obtaining information is low. While they may "learn" through TV and newspapers, the number of people who proceed to the step of "researching" themselves sharply decreases. This indicates that people in suburban areas are less proactive in obtaining information.

● By Region | Triggers for Action on Vacant Home Measures

In urban to regional cities, the main triggers are the realization of immediate risks and burdens such as "increasing risks of deterioration and disasters" and "management burden." In depopulated areas, "learning about the benefits of utilization" (14.3%, 1st place) is a positive exit strategy that triggers action.

● By Region | Vacant Home Measures Planned Within 3 Years

Amidst this, the top measure considered in all regions within the next 3 years is "selling." However, in urban areas, "renting" (25.6%) is also a common option, while in suburban and depopulated areas, the intention to "rent" is low, likely due to the difficulty of finding tenants. In suburban areas, the options for measures are almost limited to selling.

Prescription for People Owning Vacant Homes in Suburban Areas Whose Measures Are Not Progressing (Regional Wall)

People do not feel the need to let go, so priority decreases, and information acquisition frequency also drops. In suburban areas, the options for exit are limited to "selling." Providing information about "realizing risks and burdens" and "selling methods as one of the exit options" may lead to progress in considering countermeasures.

*Details of regional classification are described in the notes below.

◆ Prescription for Overcoming the Three Walls - "When, What, and How to Deliver"

The analysis of the three walls revealed the need for different prescriptions for each wall. For the age wall, it is "to provide information that allows them to experience risks and burdens, thereby increasing urgency." For the dialogue wall, it is "to convey risks and burdens at times when awareness is high, such as property tax notices and Obon, to encourage dialogue." For the regional wall, it is "to deliver information about the sole exit option, 'selling methods,' through media, not just risks and burdens."

Based on these findings, the prescription for the "still don't know" group can be summarized in three points. The hook for communication is to increase urgency with information that allows people to experience risks and burdens. The timing for communication is effective during April-June when property tax notices arrive, and during Obon (August), which is a common occasion for discussing inheritance. The content of communication should focus on selling methods and convey specific exit strategies.

◆ Changes in Demand for Selling Vacant Homes

While "selling" was the most considered vacant home measure, what do owners seek in pursuing "selling"? We investigated the needs and services chosen when selling.

"Selling" is the most considered vacant home measure, and "ease of disposal" is the primary need and service sought for selling.

"Selling" (32.8%) is the most common measure considered within the next 3 years, continuing an increasing trend from 2023 (28.4%). It is the top choice, significantly ahead of "renting" (21.7%) and "use by myself or my family" (12.0%).

"Purchasing companies" are considered as a selling destination by 42.8% of respondents (approximately 2.6 times compared to 2021), narrowing the gap with brokerage companies (46.2%) to 3.4 percentage points. Among the factors sought when selling, needs such as "ease of disposal" are strong, including "trust and reliability" (45.7%), "buying at a high price" (40.7%), "handling of remaining items" (28.6%), "buying as-is" (28.5%, newly established in 2026), and "buying quickly" (27.1%). This aligns with the characteristics of purchasing companies and is considered the background for the increase in selection rate.

◆ Local Government Vacant Home Measures

● Interest in local government vacant home measures is high, but utilization of systems is still in progress

As mentioned above, the survey revealed that the "three walls" of age, region, and dialogue are hindering action on vacant home measures. We believe that local government vacant home measures play an important role in overcoming these walls, and therefore, we also surveyed how vacant home owners perceive and utilize these measures.

● Awareness of local government vacant home measures exceeds half, but understanding of content is less than 30%

"Know the content well" regarding local government vacant home measures was 26.8%, and "know the outline" was 29.4%, for a total awareness of 56.2%, which is over half. On the other hand, only less than 30% accurately grasp the content, indicating that while the existence of the systems is known, the details are not fully communicated.

The top channel for awareness is "local government website" (36.0%), followed by "property tax notices, etc." (31.6%) and "local government public relations magazines" (30.1%), with information disseminated by local governments ranking high. This is consistent with the structure revealed in the dialogue wall, where "property tax notices become a trigger for dialogue," indicating that tax notices are an important point of contact for vacant home information.

● Usage experience is 23.6%, but 60% including potentially interested parties

The utilization rate of local government vacant home measure systems is "have used" (23.6%) and "have not used but have considered" (36.3%), totaling about 60% of interested parties. "Have not used or considered" accounts for 33.9%, indicating that potential demand has not yet been fully tapped.

The systems with actual usage are "registration/utilization of vacant home bank" (48.7%), "use of consultation services" (46.6%), and "collaboration services with businesses/introduction of companies" (45.3%), which are closely ranked, indicating a trend of utilizing systems that lead to an exit.

● Satisfaction: "Entry is evaluated, exit is a challenge"

Regarding satisfaction with the systems, evaluations for "ease of consultation" (total satisfaction 40.9%) and "quality of introduced businesses/experts" (total satisfaction 41.1%) are relatively high. However, "whether it led to a solution" (total satisfaction 35.4%) is at a low level, suggesting that while consultation is possible, it may not lead to a resolution. Therefore, there is room for improvement in procedures and exits rather than the entry points of the systems.

Given the current trend of high utilization of "systems that lead to an exit," a mechanism that seamlessly connects the entry to the exit (selling, utilization, etc.) of the system may be key to promoting action.

◆ Other Survey Data -

● Types of vacant homes acquired and number of properties owned - mostly detached houses, with ownership of 2 or fewer units.

The overwhelming majority of vacant homes are "detached houses" (79.6%), followed by "apartments" (23.0%) and "flats" (11.4%). The most common number of units is "1 unit" (67.2%), and combined with "2 units" (16.3%), over 80% own 2 or fewer units. While owners burdened with managing multiple units are a minority, 5.4% are unaware of their holdings.

● Most vacant homes are acquired through inheritance, and 70% have completed title transfer.

The acquisition background is dominated by inheritance, with "sole inheritance" (46.4%) and "multiple inheritances" (32.4%) combined accounting for 78.8%. The structure where the vacant home problem originates from inheritance remains unchanged this time. "Self-acquisition" (9.9%) and "acquisition by gift" (6.8%) are in the minority. Regarding title status, 70.2% have "completed title transfer (in the name of the current owner)," but "title not transferred (still in the name before inheritance)" still accounts for 20.5%. Including "unknown" (9.3%), approximately 30% have insufficient title organization, and a segment remains unaddressed even after the enforcement of the inheritance registration obligation.

● Manager of vacant home

Regarding the manager, "myself" (55.7%) accounts for over half, followed by "family/relatives" (19.0%) and "spouse" (11.6%). Vacant homes with no manager account for 6.2%, indicating a certain number of cases are left unmanaged.

<Comment from Kachitas>

This survey revealed that while awareness of the vacant home problem is steadily increasing, many owners are still unable to take concrete action due to "three walls." Psychological hurdles, information and procedural barriers, and financial and practical burdens are complexly intertwined, creating a structure of "knowing but unable to act."

Amidst this background, the fact that potential interest in local government systems reaches 60% indicates the possibility of promoting action towards solving vacant homes. Furthermore, in "selling," the most considered vacant home measure, the selection rate of purchasing companies, characterized by their "ease of disposal," has narrowed the gap with brokerage companies to 3.4 percentage points, reaching a level comparable to brokerage firms, which can be seen as a structural change in the vacant home sales market.

Our company, with a track record of 12 consecutive years as the number one* in annual sales volume in the used home purchase and renovation business, boasts strengths such as "no need to pack belongings," "sales possible in as little as 3 weeks," and "purchase in the current condition," all contributing to ease of disposal. We will continue to contribute to solving the vacant home problem and revitalizing communities in cooperation with local governments and regions.

*For inquiries about the details of this survey or requests for data, please contact us.

Survey Implementation Overview

Survey Name

6th National Survey on Vacant Home Owners (2026)

Survey Target

Vacant home owners nationwide

Survey Period

June 11, 2026

Survey Organization

Ibridge Inc.

Survey Method

Internet Survey

Number of Valid Responses

1,000

Note*: From the "Ranking of Annual Sales Volume of Purchased and Resold Homes" in the Reform Industry Newspaper, published July 2025.

*Regional classifications are as follows:

Company Profile

Examples of properties renovated by our company

Kachitas purchases vacant homes, renovates them, and sells them through its used home purchase and renovation business. We aim to solve the vacant home problem through this business.

Company Name: Kachitas Co., Ltd. Location: [Headquarters] 4-2 Mihara-cho, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, 376-0025 [Tokyo Headquarters] 9th Floor, PMO Hatchobori Shinkawa, 2-9-11 Shinkawa, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0033 Representative: Kenshi Arai, President and CEO Capital: 3,778,871,000 yen (as of March 31, 2024) Listed Market: Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market (Securities Code 8919) URL: https://katitas.jp/