Japan’s Empty House Problem: Why Demolition Is Becoming a Growth Market

Japan’s vacant-home problem is becoming hard to ignore. As the population shrinks and ages, more houses are left without owners who can maintain them—raising concerns about safety, neighborhood blight, and higher public costs. This is why reuse, renovation, and demolition are increasingly discussed as essential parts of Japan’s urban and rural renewal.

Against this backdrop, online demolition marketplaces are popping up across Japan. These platforms help homeowners request multiple quotes, compare contractors, and coordinate inspections—making a process that used to be opaque and stressful far more transparent and manageable.