Japan: housing

How many empty homes are there in Japan?

Japan had 9.002 million vacant dwellings in October 2023, 13.8% of all housing, both the highest on record, according to the Statistics Bureau's 2023 Housing and Land Survey. Of these, 3.856 million were not for rent, for sale or second homes, 5.9% of all dwellings.

Vacant homes have roughly doubled over the 30 years from 1993. The category that excludes homes for rent, for sale and second homes is the one most often discussed as abandoned housing.

Official sources: Statistics Bureau: 2023 Housing and Land Survey, summary (PDF)

What share of Japanese homes are owner-occupied?

60.9% of occupied dwellings in Japan were owner-occupied in 2023, 0.3 points lower than in 2018, according to the Statistics Bureau's 2023 Housing and Land Survey. There were 33.876 million owner-occupied homes and 19.462 million rented homes (35.0%).

Private rentals made up 28.2% of homes and public housing 3.2%. The survey notes that the ownership rate has stayed at around 60% for 30 years. Among households with an elderly member, 81.6% own their home.

Official sources: Statistics Bureau: 2023 Housing and Land Survey, summary (PDF)

What is the average rent in Japan?

The average monthly rent for rented homes in Japan was ¥59,656 in 2023, up 7.1% from 2018, according to the Statistics Bureau's 2023 Housing and Land Survey. Private non-wooden rentals averaged ¥68,548, private wooden rentals ¥54,409 and public housing ¥24,961.

The figures cover rented dwellings used only as homes and are national averages, so rents in large cities such as Tokyo are higher. For monthly changes in rents, see the rent items in the Statistics Bureau's consumer price index.

Official sources: Statistics Bureau: 2023 Housing and Land Survey, summary (PDF)

How many new homes are being built in Japan?

Construction started on 63,974 new homes in August 2026, 6.1% more than a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's building starts statistics. There were 28,309 rental homes, 17,713 owner-occupied homes and 16,838 homes built for sale.

Over the whole of fiscal 2025 (April 2025 to March 2026) starts totalled 711,171, down 12.9% on the year before, according to the ministry's time series. Monthly figures are not seasonally adjusted, so compare them with the same month a year before.

Official sources: MLIT: building starts statistics

Are house prices rising in Japan?

The Real Estate Price Index for residential property stood at 148.0 in December 2025 (2010 = 100, seasonally adjusted), up 0.5% from November, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's release of 31 March 2026. Condominium prices were 225.1, against 121.9 for detached houses.

The ministry has postponed later releases: its index page says a fault in the calculation program is being investigated, and no new dates had been set.

Official sources: MLIT: Real Estate Price Index, December 2025 (PDF) · MLIT: Real Estate Price Index page

What is Japan's urbanisation rate?

92.3%: that is the share of people living in urban areas in Japan for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 63.1%, and Japan placed 3rd highest of 30. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 15th highest.

How many people in Japan live in slums?

The latest figure from UN-Habitat, for 2022, is 2.0%. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 17.9%, and Japan placed 20th highest of 27. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 121st highest.

What is the electricity access rate in Japan?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2024, is 100.0%. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 100.0%; Japan is 1st highest of 30. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 1st highest.

What share of people in Japan have safe drinking water?

According to WHO and UNICEF, the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Japan was 98.7% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 4th highest of 20 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 45.9%. Worldwide: 29th of 134.

What share of people in Japan have safe sanitation?

According to WHO and UNICEF, the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Japan was 99.2% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 60.5%, and Japan placed 3rd highest of 21. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 9th highest.

How many people in Japan cook with wood or charcoal?

According to the WHO, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Japan was 100.0% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 82.0%, and Japan placed 1st highest of 30. Worldwide: 1st of 192.