No money? All the more reason to
be creative, involve others,
and keep sharing.
Foreign Capital Creeping In
A few years ago, I saw news about Japan's vacant houses being bought up by foreign investors. Sudden rent hikes causing disputes. Local realtors told me vacant houses in rural areas are snapped up almost immediately. Apartments turned into overcrowded rooms. Foreigners profiting from the vacant house business. If left unchecked, Japan's landscape will change forever. But too few people are doing anything about it.
The Reality of Having No Money
I'm part of Japan's "ice age generation" — those who entered the workforce during the economic downturn and never quite caught up. Kids' tuition, daily expenses. No savings. I saw the problem clearly, but had no money to act. I kept thinking someone should do something — but never thought that someone could be me.
Acting Anyway
I kept posting on social media, and a company that owned vacant houses reached out: "Want to use one?" They offered to rent it for just the property tax — an unbelievable deal. I discovered you don't have to fix everything. You can start with nothing.
