Recently, labor shortages and vacant housing seem to be hot topics. For example, the number of vacant houses in Japan has reached a record high of approximately 9 million. This situation is particularly serious in rural areas, where population decline and aging are progressing. Amidst this, some municipalities are successfully addressing the problems of vacant housing and labor shortages. During the Showa era, a large number of public housing units were supplied due to population growth. These public housing units are now becoming vacant one after another. Smart municipalities are working to effectively utilize these vacant properties. According to a survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the number of vacant public housing units nationwide has exceeded 50,000. This is the worst figure on record. The increase in vacant housing and the decline in population is making local community activities more difficult.
Public housing is originally intended to provide affordable housing to low-income individuals who have difficulty securing housing. However, with the increase in vacant housing, limiting the target group to only those who fit the original purpose will only exacerbate the problem of vacant housing. Therefore, the national government implemented a system to address the increasing number of vacant houses, allowing local governments to flexibly utilize vacant houses at their discretion if the national government approves them. Miyazaki Prefecture is utilizing this system. Miyazaki Prefecture’s agriculture, which takes advantage of its warm climate and long hours of sunshine, is characterized by livestock farming of beef cattle, pigs, and broilers, as well as greenhouse cultivation of cucumbers, bell peppers, and mangoes. Miyazaki Prefecture is also one of the nation’s leading “food supply bases.” Miyazaki Prefecture has also concluded agreements with agricultural cooperatives and agricultural corporation management organizations, opening the doors of public housing to technical trainees engaged in agriculture. Use of public housing for purposes other than those intended for technical trainees falls under the category of “regionally adapted utilization.” Furthermore, Miyazaki City concluded an agreement with Miyazaki University in fiscal year 2023, leasing vacant rooms in the Gakuen Konohanadai housing complex, close to the university, as dormitories for students and international students.
In the Ikeuchi housing complex in Miyazaki City, technical trainees engaged in agriculture are bringing vitality to the area. Takojima Farm LLC cultivates cucumbers and strawberries in greenhouses. Takojima Farm rents public housing. Three rooms are used as dormitories for Vietnamese technical trainees, with three people living in each room. The Ikeuchi housing complex, built around 1978, is being utilized by a local agricultural corporation. Several positive developments have emerged from this utilization. When public housing becomes isolated from the surrounding area, it becomes less attractive as a place to live. Such areas become what is known as depopulated areas with few young people. Due to the aging population and the departure of young people, community association activities such as cleaning tended to decline. However, with the arrival of the technical trainees, community association activities have become lively. All of the Vietnamese technical trainees have joined the community association and now participate in cleaning and other activities. The elderly residents are also happy that their participation in planting flowers in the flowerbeds is contributing to the vibrancy of the area.
