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AKIYA BUSINESS SUMMIT 2026: A New Dawn for Vacant Properties

The nationwide consortium addressing Japan's vacant house issue will host the AKIYA BUSINESS SUMMIT 2026 on May 11, 2026. With the theme "Transforming Vacant Houses from a Social Issue to Community Assets," this summit focuses on the latest trends in the vacant house market and provides a platform for creating new business opportunities.

Key Highlights of the Summit

1. Insights from Policy Changes: Discussions led by officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on how the vacant house business will evolve following the revisions to the Basic Plan for Housing and Living.
2. Success Secrets from Industry Leaders: A featured session with Mr. Kenji Kawata, the representative of AlbaLink, a Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth listed company, unpacking successful strategies in the vacant house business.
3. Networking Opportunities: A forum for finding business partners starting from vacant houses as a foundation.

Background of the Event

Japan's vacant house problem has escalated in recent years, with an estimated 9 million vacant homes and a vacancy rate hitting 13.8%, the highest ever recorded. This multifaceted social challenge includes concerns over disaster prevention, crime prevention, urban aesthetics, and the decline of community ties. With the complexities involving inheritance, demolition, distribution, and utilization, addressing these problems requires collaboration across various sectors, including government agencies, academia, and private enterprises.

As we move into a significant transitional phase on the regulatory front, recent changes, such as the enforcement of the Revised Special Measures Law on Vacant Homes and the requirement for inheritance registration, have reshaped the landscape surrounding vacant homes. Furthermore, shifts in the Basic Plan for Housing and Living indicate a transformation from merely "management" and "demolition" strategies to "distribution,” “utilization,” and even the establishment of a market-oriented approach. However, practical challenges remain as stakeholders continue to explore sustainable business models, inter-player cooperation, and the clarification of roles for both public and private entities.

The summit aims to be a convergence point for representatives from the national government, local municipalities, private enterprises, and professionals, fostering discussions on the future landscape of vacant house measures and businesses from diverse perspectives.

Event Details

Date: May 11, 2026, from 14:00 to 18:30 (Doors open at 13:30)

Venue: Ohsaki Bright Core Hall,
5-5-15 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0001, Japan.

Access: A five-minute walk from JR Ohsaki Station and Rinkai Line Ohsaki Station (Exit on the left towards the New East exit).

Participation Fee: Free

Registration: Interested participants can register through the event's webpage: AKIYA BUSINESS SUMMIT 2026

Recommended for:

• - Individuals looking to leverage vacant homes as valuable regional assets.
• - Entrepreneurs seeking new business opportunities rooted in vacant houses.
• - Stakeholders eager to develop partnership models under public-private collaboration.
• - Those wanting to stay updated on the latest trends in the vacant house market and strategize future initiatives.
• - Anyone aiming to expand their network with potential collaborators and partners.

Event Schedule

13:30 – 14:00: Venue Opens and Registration

14:00 – 15:15: Policy and Future Session
Future directions in the vacant house market will be discussed from various angles, featuring guest speakers from government and industry experts in a panel discussion.

15:15 – 16:15: Special Session
Learn lessons from AlbaLink on their operational success in the vacant house sector with insights shared by CEO Kenji Kawata.

16:30 – 18:30: Vacant House Business Partner Discovery Session
An interactive networking opportunity for participants to connect and exchange ideas with presentations from partnering companies.

Sponsorship Invitation

The AKIYA BUSINESS SUMMIT 2026 is an extensive forum aiming to create new markets stemming from vacant houses. Companies and organizations that resonate with the summit’s purpose are welcome to contribute as sponsors. More details can be found on the event page: Sponsorship Information.

About the National Vacant House Countermeasure Consortium

Representative Director: Teppei Kawaguchi, CEO of Crassone Inc.

Website: National Vacant House Consortium

Purpose: To combat the increase in vacant houses, confront challenges associated with them, and promote ESG management and CSR initiatives.