Part 6/11:
Japan’s demographic crisis fuels this housing crisis. More than 40% of Japan’s municipalities face extinction due to population decline, with the national average of people aged 65 and older surpassing 30%. Many of these aging communities are shrinking rapidly; in some cases, a single year sees multiple deaths, causing entire neighborhoods to become ghost towns almost overnight.
The exodus of young people is driven by limited job opportunities, urbanization, and changing lifestyles. Consequently, traditional industries are at risk, while the absence of new blood leads to further decline. The landscape reflects a broader national trend of aging and depopulation, making the problem of akiya an urgent issue for Japan’s future.