How to make money from an unwanted inheritance Mar. 6 05:52 am JST Mar. 6 | 06:45 am JST TOKYO
As is regularly reported in the media, Japan has a large and growing problem with unoccupied houses, the total number of which are said to be in excess of 9 million.
Many of these residences are bequeathed to heirs who have no use for them, as they have moved to major cities and purchased homes of their own. The heirs, moreover, have no desire to pay the property taxes and cost of upkeep. A law was passed in 2015 to smooth the way for local governments to work out solutions with heirs, but many such homes are in poor condition from long disuse and have practically no market value.