Giving away house, revitalizing a town

Welcome to Okutama, the western edge of the world’s largest metropolis.
(Tokyo)
Officials here are giving away houses to combat the town’s dwindling population.
The town of Okutama hosted an informational meeting for people interested in moving.
(April 15)
Kanagawa resident / “It’s accessible from Tokyo and there’s plenty of nature. I think my friends would come and visit.”
Good childcare facilities and one other key point lured this young family.
Gifu resident / “They’re offering a brand new house. After 22 years, you become the owner.”
Japan’s government estimates that by 2050, 39% of the population will be 65 and over.
56% are expected to be living in 3 major cities.
Half of Okutama’s 5700 residents are currently over 65, and the birth rate is low.
Providing land and houses to new, young residents could secure Okutama’s future.
This 5700 ft2 (530 ㎡) plot of land was donated to the town.
Kazutaka Niijima, Okutama Young Resident Planning Office / “We imagine building a 710 ft² house on this land.”
It even offers a view.
Kazutaka Niijima, Okutama Young Residents Planning Office / “This is one of the best plots. Lake Tama is visible in that direction.”
Residents pay about 465 dollars per month (50,000 yen) for usage rights, and receive the deed to the house and land after 22 years.
This year, the town is offering the new house deal to one family.
Couples must be 43 and under, and have one child in junior high school.
The family can choose from three plots of land, each with different merits.
Properties are about a 20 minute drive from Japan Railway’s Okutama Station.
Tokyo Station is about two hours away, and many residents make the commute daily.
Officials are hoping good deals on older houses will also draw new residents.
Workers are cleaning up this 100-year-old kominka (koh-meen-kah), Japanese-style house.
(April 4)
Kazutaka Niijima, Okutama Young Residents Planning Office / “If you live here for 15 years, we will give you the house and land. Our plan is to subsidize people who want to live in the countryside.”
The previous owners donated it to Okutama.
Nine dollars (1000 yen) per year secures usage rights.
Okutama will give the new residents up to about 19-thousand dollars (2,000,000 yen) for renovations.
The Hashimoto family moved here three years ago with subsidies from the town.
They renovated a 30-year-old house that’s four times bigger than their old apartment near central Tokyo.
Aoi Hashimoto / “We don’t feel it’s inconvenient. The children have plenty of space to explore and grow.”
Hashimoto found a new job in Okutama.
The only problem?
Eigo Hashimoto / “It doesn’t bother me, but there are a lot of insects here.”
By subsidizing houses and land, Okutama hopes to buck national trends and keep its town thriving.

[@neozuk1395]

its because owning a house or land in japan costs too much..
Im half japanese and my parents suggests that renting is much better than owning a home.

[@shivammay15]

So anyone can go there? Accept me from India!

[@bhjyuwj3498]

No

[@krisverano7405]

^_^ give me free japanese citizenship and a house.. please..

[@user-fh4id3lr5d]

おもんな