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Why are there millions of empty homes in Japan?

How abandoned houses became a symbol of the Japanese population crisis.

Abandoned houses – or β€œakiyas” – have become a symbol of the crisis facing Japan’s population. But a wave of young foreign bargain hunters has started snapping up some of these abandoned homes, inspired by viral DIY videos and social media influencers.

Lucy Hockings speaks to the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ’s Tokyo correspondent Shaimaa Khalil, who has been to meet some of the people bringing akiyas back to life.

Producers: Peter Goffin, Alix Pickles and Alice Aylett Roberts

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

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26 minutes

Last on

Mon 21 Oct 2024 10:32GMT
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service

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  • Mon 21 Oct 2024 10:32GMT
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service

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