Determinants of Housing Vacancies Across Japanese Prefectures

This study examines the determinants of housing vacancy rates across Japan’s 47 prefec- tures using recent statistical data and multiple regression analysis. The results indicate that death rates,household sizes,and new housing starts significantly influence both total vacant dwellings and permanently abandoned dwellings. Prefectural income levels impact overall housing mobility but do not necessarily determine whether vacant houses remain abandoned. Regional disparities in vacancy rates are evident, with rural and less urbanized areas, partic- ularly in western Japan, experiencing higher vacancy levels. Implications are that reinforcing municipal enforcement capacity, conducting AI-based property detection, and adjusting tax policies to discourage property stagnation are crucial. Additionally, the study underscores the need for further research not only on the influence of other latent variables on vacancy rates but also on long-run housing market trends.