#Japan #Shibuya, Tokyo #Ject One #Gaia #Vacant Housing

Ject One and Gaia's Strategic Partnership

Ject One Corporation, a Tokyo-based real estate developer, recently announced a collaboration with Gaia, an international certification company with a focus on community revitalization. The partnership aims to enhance area value through the effectiveness of vacant housing, known locally as "Akisapo", in addressing the challenges related to abandoned properties.

The collaboration centers around a signed agreement known as the 'Area Value Improvement Project Utilizing Vacant Houses.' This agreement follows the enactment of the Special Measures Law for the Promotion of Countermeasures Against Vacant Houses in 2015, which propelled Ject One to activate its Akisapo program in 2016. This initiative has helped homeowners with abandoned properties find solutions for utilization, sales, and more, sparing them from the burdens traditionally associated with such issues.

The Motivation Behind the Partnership

Despite the success of Akisapo, Ject One recognized that vacant housing challenges in rural areas vastly differ from those in urban centers. Therefore, the solutions generated through the initiative need to encompass more than just single-property solutions, aiming instead for a holistic approach to transform entire communities.

Gaia operates in Miyagi Prefecture and is renowned for its Gaia Resort facilities that focus on repurposing vacant land into multifaceted uses, such as hospitality, welfare, and agriculture. By connecting local tourism and community welfare routes, Gaia has pioneered the concept of the "Albergo Diffuso" model, which translates to "scattered hotel." This model, inspired by Italy, utilizes existing local housing in nearby small towns or rural areas, allowing guests to immerse themselves in everyday life and culture.

Recently recognized as a pioneer in inclusive hospitality, Gaia's flagship facility, "Ospitalità Diffusa Gaia Resort Zao Sansui-en," received an international certification from Albergo Diffuso International, further establishing its commitment to integrating hospitality with community welfare, medical initiatives, education, and cultural preservation.

Synergizing Knowledge and Local Resources

Through this new partnership, Ject One will integrate the comprehension and frameworks it developed through the Akisapo program with Gaia's rich experience in harnessing local resources into cohesive community constructions. This cross-collaboration attempts to elevate area value through collective action by identifying and transforming vacant properties as interconnected assets within regional landscapes.

Besides targeting specific case studies in Zao, the collaboration intends to progressively broaden its scope to tackle national vacant housing issues through sustainable development goals. The partnership envisions a series of phased projects initiated in specific regions, leveraging shared resources to implement effective community restoration strategies, merging tourism, agriculture, and welfare into one decentralized town planning model.

Initial Goals of Their Collaboration

1. Model Area in Zao: This focused area will see Gaia provide Ject One with a list of vacant properties alongside the areas recognized by the Albergo Diffuso accreditation. Ject One will then conduct necessary renovations for these properties and manage their active use through various exit strategies, including sales, leasing, and operational frameworks.

2. Adding Value to Existing Properties: For properties already restored through Akisapo across Japan, Gaia will support hospitality management and branding to generate added value. Moreover, for future restoration projects, Gaia will engage from the planning stage, ensuring community consensus and operational support for these facilities.

3. Reinventing Resort Facilities: Through joint efforts, aging resort facilities and unused vacation homes will be transformed into unified hospitality and community welfare complexes. This will help stimulate local economies while redefining the tourist experience.

The partnership signifies a monumental step in addressing the vacant housing crisis, aiming for nationwide expansion as they closely evaluate the microcosm of community value enhancement modeled from their joint endeavors.