Vacant Home Cleanup Day

What Is Vacant Home Cleanup Day?

August 31 marks "Vacant Home Cleanup Day" (Akiya Seiri no Hi) in Japan, established by One's Life Co., Ltd., a Setagaya, Tokyo-based company that clears out vacant homes and belongings of the deceased in the Kanto region, and registered with the Japan Anniversary Association in 2016.

The Wordplay and the Wish Behind It

The date comes from a wordplay on the Japanese phrase "ya (8) sei (31) ri" — a phonetic reading of "house, organize, manage." August 31 was chosen with the hope that, as summer draws to a close, people would take a moment to think about the growing problem of vacant homes and how to deal with them.

• Established by: One's Life Co., Ltd.
• Registered: With the Japan Anniversary Association in 2016
• Origin: A wordplay on "ya (8) sei (31) ri," combined with the idea of using the end of summer as a moment to think about vacant home cleanup

A Growing Challenge Across Japan

Driven by inheritance and an aging population, the number of unmanaged vacant homes across Japan continues to rise. In the 2023 Housing and Land Survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan had about 9 million vacant homes, or 13.8% of all housing -- both record highs. Left unattended, these properties can pose risks for crime prevention, disaster safety, hygiene and the local landscape, making early cleanup or reuse an important consideration.

Ways to Mark the Day

• Check whether your family has any vacant properties to manage
• Look into options for managing or repurposing a vacant home
• Research consultation services for vacant home cleanup and inheritance
• Talk with your family about the future of your home

A Day to Think About the Future of Your Home

Vacant Home Cleanup Day draws attention to Japan's growing vacant home problem and offers a nudge to take action. August 31 is a good day to talk with family about what comes next for your home.