[First in Fukui City] Solving the 16.1% Vacant House Rate Challenge. The National Vacant House Advisor Association Designated as 'Vacant House Management and Utilization Support Corporation'
Fukui City has designated the National Vacant House Advisor Association as its first 'Vacant House Management and Utilization Support Corporation' to address the city's 16.1% vacant house rate, which exceeds the national average. This initiative aims to accelerate vacant house countermeasures and contribute to regional revitalization through a one-stop support system by a group of experts.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 10:31
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OOKABE GLASS Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture; Representative Director: Katsuhiro Ookabe), whose representative, Mr. Ookabe, serves as the Fukui Branch Manager of the National Vacant House Advisor Association, was designated by Fukui City as the first 'Vacant House Management and Utilization Support Corporation' on May 1, 2026. Fukui City's vacant house rate has reached 16.1% (*), exceeding the national average (13.8%), and concerns regarding crime prevention and disaster prevention due to neglected vacant houses are becoming serious. This branch has established a 'one-stop system' by a group of experts including construction companies, real estate agents, and judicial scriveners. By providing solutions from all directions—legal, technical, and distribution—for the complex issues faced by owners, we will accelerate Fukui City's vacant house countermeasures and contribute to the revitalization of the local community.
(*) Based on estimated values from Fukui Prefecture's 'FY2023 Fukui Prefecture Vacant House Survey'
Background of the Designation as Vacant House Management and Utilization Support Corporation
Based on the Act on Promotion of Measures for Vacant Houses, etc., this system designates organizations that Fukui City supports for public activities, and our branch received the first designation in the city. Currently, vacant houses that are not properly managed are scattered throughout Fukui City, and the causes are diverse, including 'relocation to distant places,' 'complex inheritance,' and 'aging of buildings.' The aim is to achieve more prompt and effective measures by having private organizations with specialized knowledge collaborate to address these individual issues that cannot be fully covered by the administration alone.
Three Strengths of the Fukui Branch
1. 'No-confusion' one-stop counter for expert teams
Construction companies, real estate agents, judicial scriveners, etc., collaborate. By unifying the counter, we save consultants time and guide them to solutions via the shortest route, from inheritance to renovation and sale.
2. 'Sincere and prompt' community-based response
Operated by local companies and experts who are well-versed in Fukui's climate and real estate values. We listen carefully to the thoughts and situations of each owner and propose optimal choices based on thorough hearings.
3. Highly public information provision and awareness activities
As a designated corporation, we work closely with Fukui City. In addition to promoting the utilization of vacant house banks, we regularly hold seminars and consultation sessions to prevent vacant houses from occurring in the first place, aiming to raise overall community awareness.
Consultations regarding vacant houses are accepted at the Fukui Branch dedicated dial (0120-12-5534).
Future Developments
Going forward, we will strengthen cooperation with Fukui City, actively implement vacant house events for citizens, and disclose examples of utilization. In particular, we will focus not only on mediating the buying and selling or renting of properties but also on creating a 'related population' based on vacant houses. Through these activities, we will steadily move forward so that vacant houses in Fukui City are not just 'old houses' but 'shared assets' that generate new vitality for the region. The first 'Vacant House Festival' in Fukui City is scheduled to be held on September 19. This event aims not only to let citizens know the current situation of vacant houses but also to experience their potential firsthand and to provide an opportunity to think about the future of Fukui together.
Comment from Fukui City
This is a newly established system under the Act on Promotion of Measures for Vacant Houses, etc., which was revised and enforced in December 2023. The purpose of this system is for the mayor of a municipality to designate private corporations engaged in the management and utilization of vacant houses as 'support corporations,' thereby creating an environment where these corporations can operate from a public standpoint and play a supplementary role to municipalities working on vacant house measures. In our city, we expect support corporations to handle consultations and provide information to vacant house owners, as well as engage in public awareness activities regarding management and utilization.
Consultations regarding vacant houses received daily by our city are diverse, covering not only real estate but also inheritance and management. By establishing a consultation system with specialized knowledge within support corporations, it will be possible to provide support tailored to vacant house owners, and further promotion of vacant house utilization and proper management is expected.
Organization Overview
Organization Name: National Vacant House Advisor Association Fukui Branch
Branch Manager: Katsuhiro Ookabe
Activities: Consultation, information provision, and expert referral regarding the prevention, utilization, and management of vacant houses.
URL: https://akiya-fukui.org/
Company Overview
Company Name: OOKABE GLASS Co., Ltd.
Location: 2-24-8 Yonematsu, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture
Representative: Katsuhiro Ookabe, Representative Director
Business Activities: Online order business for glass and mirrors, planning and operation of town development projects
URL: https://ookabe-glass.co.jp/
(*) Based on estimated values from Fukui Prefecture's 'FY2023 Fukui Prefecture Vacant House Survey'
Background of the Designation as Vacant House Management and Utilization Support Corporation
Based on the Act on Promotion of Measures for Vacant Houses, etc., this system designates organizations that Fukui City supports for public activities, and our branch received the first designation in the city. Currently, vacant houses that are not properly managed are scattered throughout Fukui City, and the causes are diverse, including 'relocation to distant places,' 'complex inheritance,' and 'aging of buildings.' The aim is to achieve more prompt and effective measures by having private organizations with specialized knowledge collaborate to address these individual issues that cannot be fully covered by the administration alone.
Three Strengths of the Fukui Branch
1. 'No-confusion' one-stop counter for expert teams
Construction companies, real estate agents, judicial scriveners, etc., collaborate. By unifying the counter, we save consultants time and guide them to solutions via the shortest route, from inheritance to renovation and sale.
2. 'Sincere and prompt' community-based response
Operated by local companies and experts who are well-versed in Fukui's climate and real estate values. We listen carefully to the thoughts and situations of each owner and propose optimal choices based on thorough hearings.
3. Highly public information provision and awareness activities
As a designated corporation, we work closely with Fukui City. In addition to promoting the utilization of vacant house banks, we regularly hold seminars and consultation sessions to prevent vacant houses from occurring in the first place, aiming to raise overall community awareness.
Consultations regarding vacant houses are accepted at the Fukui Branch dedicated dial (0120-12-5534).
Future Developments
Going forward, we will strengthen cooperation with Fukui City, actively implement vacant house events for citizens, and disclose examples of utilization. In particular, we will focus not only on mediating the buying and selling or renting of properties but also on creating a 'related population' based on vacant houses. Through these activities, we will steadily move forward so that vacant houses in Fukui City are not just 'old houses' but 'shared assets' that generate new vitality for the region. The first 'Vacant House Festival' in Fukui City is scheduled to be held on September 19. This event aims not only to let citizens know the current situation of vacant houses but also to experience their potential firsthand and to provide an opportunity to think about the future of Fukui together.
Comment from Fukui City
This is a newly established system under the Act on Promotion of Measures for Vacant Houses, etc., which was revised and enforced in December 2023. The purpose of this system is for the mayor of a municipality to designate private corporations engaged in the management and utilization of vacant houses as 'support corporations,' thereby creating an environment where these corporations can operate from a public standpoint and play a supplementary role to municipalities working on vacant house measures. In our city, we expect support corporations to handle consultations and provide information to vacant house owners, as well as engage in public awareness activities regarding management and utilization.
Consultations regarding vacant houses received daily by our city are diverse, covering not only real estate but also inheritance and management. By establishing a consultation system with specialized knowledge within support corporations, it will be possible to provide support tailored to vacant house owners, and further promotion of vacant house utilization and proper management is expected.
Organization Overview
Organization Name: National Vacant House Advisor Association Fukui Branch
Branch Manager: Katsuhiro Ookabe
Activities: Consultation, information provision, and expert referral regarding the prevention, utilization, and management of vacant houses.
URL: https://akiya-fukui.org/
Company Overview
Company Name: OOKABE GLASS Co., Ltd.
Location: 2-24-8 Yonematsu, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture
Representative: Katsuhiro Ookabe, Representative Director
Business Activities: Online order business for glass and mirrors, planning and operation of town development projects
URL: https://ookabe-glass.co.jp/