## (4) Increase in Vacant Houses, Vacant Stores, Old Factory Sites, Deserted Arable Land

While on one hand the population is decreasing, by contrast the total number of housing is increasing, and the number of vacant housing units continues to grow consistently across the country. In particular, the number of units categorized as “Other Housing”, which includes housing that have not been inhabited for long periods for lack of renter or buyers, has been growing. “Other Housing” also includes units without clear plans for maintenance or disposal, and tend to be poorly maintained compared to the vacant housing units in other categories (Figure 1-2-5).

In addition, due to the shrinkage in local economic and industrial activities, as well as lack of successors, there is an increase in vacant stores, old factory sites and deserted arable land. This, along with the increase in vacant housing, leads to the regional landscape becoming unsightly, public safety hazards, increase in accidents such as building collapses and fires, and serves to lower the overall attractiveness of the district.

(Note) Secondary Housing: Vacation homes and other housing (Housing where people reside once in a while); Housing for Rent or Sale: New or old housing that is vacant in order to rent or sell; Other Housing: Housing that remains vacant other than for the reasons above, for example homes that are left vacant for long periods of time for reasons like job relocation or hospitalization, or left vacant to be demolished for rebuilding.

Source) Developed by MLIT from “Housing and Land Survey” by MIC

## (5) Functional Decline of Local Communities

Population decline has a major impact on the functional decline of the local communities. Not only will the cooperative capabilities of citizens’ organizations such as the neighborhood and residents associations suffer for the lack of leaders, the decrease in the numbers of local volunteers for the community firefighting squad threatens to reduce the district’s capability to handle emergency situations.

Also, as the decrease in numbers of children and students progress, the number of classes will decrease, classroom sizes will shrink, and may eventually lead to the elimination and consolidation of schools. This decline in the youth population will make it difficult to pass on the local history and traditional culture, and could cause a problem in carrying on traditional events such as local festivals.

In this way, the decline in residents engaging in local activities will decrease the number of opportunities for interaction among the residents, and the enthusiasm and affection for the area will be lost.

As evident from above, population decline can have various effects on the cities and the daily life in the Rural Areas, some that have already manifested and others that yet to become apparent. Of those in Figure 1-2-2 who responded that they “have” or “have somewhat” experienced the effects of population decline, when asked in what situations they experienced the decrease in population, a high percentage answered “the number of stores with closed shutters has increased in the shopping district” and “often see vacant houses”, and an especially high percentage in the Rural Areas answered that “the frequency of buses and trains running has decreased, the route was cancelled” (Figure 1-2-6).

Figure 1-2-6

Situations in Which the Population Decline is Experienced (Up to 3 answers possible)