#Japan #Tokyo #Modern Commons #Hitasu Inc. #Urban Regeneration

Reexamining the Vacant House Challenge: A Symposium

In response to the growing concerns surrounding vacant houses, Hitasu Inc., based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, is actively participating in the upcoming symposium titled "The Challenges of Autonomy and Modern Commons Illustrated by Vacant Houses." Scheduled for July 26, 2025, at City Lab Tokyo, this event aims to tackle the pressing issue of vacant properties that reflect the decline in community engagement and vitality in a decreasing population era.

As Japan grapples with the drastic effects of population decline, the number of vacant homes continues to rise, leading to deteriorated living conditions and diminished functions of local governance. This symposium will explore ways to revitalize communities and envision sustainable urban development by examining vacant houses as a focal point.

Noteworthy speakers include Shunsuke Ushida, the representative of Habataku Inc., who has been making strides in utilizing vacant homes and idle land in Gojome, Akita Prefecture. Additionally, Yoshihara Yoshiko, a manager at the Tokyo Foundation and author of "Land Issues in an Era of Population Decline," will share insights on land policies. The symposium will also feature reports from representatives of Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, which has actively engaged in land banking initiatives.

In this multifaceted discussion, the symposium will host comments from distinguished figures such as Takeyuki Igarashi, a lawyer and emeritus professor at Hosei University, as well as Kuniyuki Kamano, an expert in land laws and an emeritus professor at Waseda University. Renowned architect Riken Yamamoto, a recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Prize, will also contribute his perspective on the architectural implications of the issues at hand.

The event will be held in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and online attendance. Participants can register on the event's official website, with fees structured at ¥2,000 for in-person participants and ¥1,000 for online attendees. Discounts are available for members of the Modern Commons Research Institute and individuals bringing the latest issue of their journal.

Symposium Agenda:

• - Opening Remarks and Purpose Explanation (13:30 - 13:35)

• - Keynote Speech: "The Challenges of Autonomy Illustrated by Vacant Houses and Modern Commons"

Speaker: Takeyuki Igarashi
The keynote will outline the overarching challenges posed by vacant homes and propose frameworks for approaching solutions, encouraging a reevaluation of our responses to these issues.

• - Session 1: Reports from the Field (13:55 - 15:00)

- Report 1: "Vacant Houses and Entrepreneurship – Societal Solutions to Regional Decline"
Speaker: Shunsuke Ushida
Moderator: Ryo Hara
Details: Discussion on Ushida's initiatives in Akita, focusing on revitalizing empty storefronts and underutilized land, and considering the effectiveness and limitations of entrepreneurship as a tool for community engagement.
- Report 2: "Vacant Houses and Local Governance - Strategies from Local Authorities"
Speaker: Isao Kanzaki
Moderator: Masaharu Hioki
Details: An analytical report on Tsuruoka City's land banking strategy, addressing the current landscape of vacant properties through data and identifying structural challenges. Future strategies for tackling these issues will also be discussed.

• - Break (15:00 - 15:10)

• - Session 2: Revisions of Condominium Laws and Vacant Houses (15:10 - 15:50)

Speaker: Yoshiko Yoshihara
Moderator: Kazunori Miyazaki
Details: Insights into the legislative changes affecting condominium laws and their implications for vacant properties, alongside comments from Senator Hideya Sugio on the ongoing discussions in parliament.

• - Comments from Panel Experts (15:50 - 16:20)

Panelists include Kuniyuki Kamano, Riken Yamamoto, and Takeyuki Igarashi, providing insights based on the session discussions and offering recommendations for future action.

• - Action Declaration and Closing Remarks (16:20 - 16:30)

This segment will invite participants to articulate their own actionable ideas for engaging with these pressing community challenges.

The symposium emphasizes that tackling issues related to vacant houses may serve not just as a reflection of individual and collective struggles, but as a starting point for community regeneration and autonomy in urban landscapes.

To join this critical dialogue about the future of our communities and sustainable living, visit the registration page to secure your spot at this essential symposium.

Let's collectively rethink and reshape our approach to vacant property issues as a pathway to a sustainable urban future.