Legal Risks of Vacant Houses in Japan: Special Measures Act and Mandatory Registration

Japan has ~9 million vacant houses (13.8% vacancy rate). The Vacant House Special Measures Act designates "specified vacant houses" posing safety, sanitation, or aesthetic risks (Art. 2(2)). Consequences escalate: advice → recommendation (triggers removal of property tax reduction, effectively 6x increase) → order (¥500,000 fine) → administrative execution at owner's cost (Art. 14). The 2023 reform added "inadequately managed vacant houses." Since April 2024, inheritance registration is mandatory within 3 years (Real Property Registration Act Art. 76-2, ¥100,000 fine). Options: sell via municipal vacant house bank, rent after renovation, demolish with subsidies, or renounce inheritance (Civil Code Art. 915).