Since 1968, the total stock of houses has exceeded the number of households. As of last October, the number of housing units hit 60.6 million, far outnumbering the total 52.4 million households.In other words, 5 million vacant units are actively managed. Another 3.2 million units are derelict and dangerous.
Of the 8.2 million vacant properties nationwide as of last October, about 5 million are either up for rent, waiting to be sold or are kept as second house by owners who live elsewhere. The remaining 3.2 million include properties whose occupants have been absent for a long time and those waiting to be demolished.
Remember, unlike the U.S., island Japan tightly controls who moves to Japan to live. Illegal immigrants don't occupy Japan's surplus housing units.
