As homeownership becomes increasingly expensive in many parts of the world, we travel to Japan, where millions of empty and unwanted houses, known as ‘akiya’, are being sold cheaply or given away. Can foreign buyers help solve Japan’s empty house problem?

00:00 How an Australian bought an abandoned home and renovated it
08:26 Why Japanese are not wanting to inherit the family home
10:37 A real estate consultant gives advice on inheriting an akiya

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Dateline is an Australian award-winning international documentary series with a current affairs backbone.
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