Don't skip this thinking it's just 'another subsidy talk.' Why the Vacant House Countermeasure Model Project might change your industry.

Today, I would like to write about the call for proposals for the 'FY2026 Vacant House Countermeasure Model Project' announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

For those of you who thought, 'Not another subsidy talk...', if you read through the details of this call for proposals, I believe it is worth your time, especially if you are interested in the vacant house business or are already involved in vacant houses in some capacity.

And in fact, our Vacant House Manager Association has also been selected for this model project in the past.
That is precisely why I believe I can write about it not just from the perspective of 'the system,' but also including the reality of being on the applicant's side.
It will be a bit long, but I hope you will bear with me.

First, let's roughly organize what is happening.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has started accepting proposals for this year's 'Vacant House Countermeasure Model Project'.
The deadline is noon on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, and selections are scheduled for early July.

In a nutshell, this project is a mechanism where 'the government provides funding for vacant house countermeasure ideas conceived by the private sector.'
It covers not only construction costs for renovation or removal (demolishing buildings), but also soft costs related to building business structures and conducting surveys.

There are five themes being publicly solicited, and they look like this:

• Theme 1: Public and private sectors working together to enhance consultation services

• Theme 2: Creating new business models related to vacant houses

• Theme 3: Thinking about ways to use vacant houses that fit new lifestyles and residential needs

• Theme 4: Developing infrastructure for vacant house countermeasures using new technologies such as AI and digital tools

• Theme 5: Testing how to reorganize local residential areas in anticipation of the rapid increase in vacant houses due to inheritance

Since it states that 'private businesses, NPOs, local governments, etc.' are eligible, the scope is quite broad.

There is also the feeling that this is 'just another subsidy talk'.

Honestly, I think many people feel that 'it's the same old story' every time they see an announcement for this kind of government project.

Many people likely have the impression that subsidy applications have complex requirements, that only large corporations or local governments get selected, or that the paperwork is too burdensome to be realistic for small and medium-sized businesses.

I don't think that feeling is wrong.
It certainly takes effort regarding the paperwork.
For that reason, I often see cases in the field where people give up from the start, thinking, 'It's probably impossible for us,' even if they want to apply.

However, since our Vacant House Manager Association was selected for this model project in the past, I feel that it cannot be said unconditionally that 'it's impossible unless you are a large organization.'
I believe that if your idea and business plan are solid, it is a public solicitation where you can compete sufficiently even if you are small in scale.

Nevertheless, you might want to change how you read this one this time.

What I am focusing on this time is not just the question of 'whether or not you can get the subsidy'.

When you line up the five themes, it becomes quite clear what the government wants to solve regarding vacant houses and what kind of private-sector ideas they are looking for.

For example, Theme 2 explicitly states "building new business models." This is a very direct expression, isn't it?
The government is clearly saying, "We want to work with you to create ways to use vacant houses that are commercially viable."

It is also interesting that the use of AI and digital technology in Theme 4 is discussed in the context of infrastructure development.
It reads as an attempt to redesign the very mechanisms of grasping, managing, and matching vacant house information through digital means, rather than just improving operational efficiency.

Theme 5, which mentions "anticipating the rapid increase in inherited vacant houses," is also a forward-looking statement. The number of vacant houses caused by inheritance will certainly increase over the next 10 years. I believe this is a message that they want to take proactive steps to address this.

Let's organize who this is relevant to.

When people hear "vacant house countermeasures," they tend to think it's a matter for real estate companies and local governments.
However, looking closely at this year's themes, I feel that the content is relevant to a much wider range of industries.

For example, these types of people:

Real estate, renovation, and constructionbusinesses can directly utilize support for hardware projects (renovation/demolition). However, beyond that, there is the potential to "propose your own business schemes as a model project." If you can organize and propose what you are already doing, you can gain both funding and a track record.

Professionals (lawyers, judicial scriveners, administrative scriveners, etc.)are particularly relevant to Theme 1 and Theme 5. Inheritance-related vacant houses often require legal organization, and there is potential to formalize the involvement of experts in the context of enhancing consultation services.

Nursing, welfare, and community supportbusinesses might find Theme 3 resonates with them. This is an area where new forms of business are easily born in the context of supporting elderly people moving house or creating community spaces using vacant houses.

IT startups and techcompanies are clearly suited for Theme 4. Ideas for creating infrastructure for vacant house countermeasures using digital power, such as organizing information on vacant houses and proposing utilization using AI, are in demand.

Regional financial institutions (credit unions, regional banks, etc.)are also not unrelated in the context of Theme 2 and Theme 5. I believe that having the perspective of linking local vacant house problems with the revitalization of the regional economy is unique to financial institutions.

Even those who thought this wasn't about their industry should be able to see parts where they might be involved if they change their perspective slightly.

What changes from the owner's perspective?

Changing the perspective a little, I would also like to talk about the owners of vacant houses.

They own a vacant house but cannot take action.
There are really many people like that.

There are various reasons: "I don't know who to consult," "I can't see how much it will cost," "It's my parents' house, so it's hard to let go," "I think I might use it someday"... Such complex feelings are intertwined, and as a result, procrastination continues.

This is not something you can blame them for.
It is difficult to come up with an answer alone when emotions, reality, and a lack of information are all jumbled together.

I believe the reason "enhancing consultation services" is listed as Theme 1 in this model project is because they are properly looking at that reality.

The idea is not to "increase consultation counters," but to "create a model for a consultation mechanism that links the public and private sectors."

If business operators create a consultation framework and it is selected as a model project, an environment will be established that makes it easier for owners to take action.
I believe the ripple effect of that will be significant.

Is it a risk or an opportunity?

To be honest, I read this as an opportunity.

The fact that the government is starting to say, 'We want to solve the vacant house problem with private-sector ideas,' is a reflection of the fact that there are limits to what the administration can do alone.
Conversely, it means there is plenty of room for the private sector to get involved if they use some ingenuity.

In particular, the three themes of 'building business models,' 'utilizing new technology,' and 'responding to the rapid increase in inheritances' are at the very heart of the future vacant house market.
I believe that businesses that move early on these will have an advantage in establishing their position in the market, regardless of whether they are selected or not.

On the other hand, if there is a risk, it is 'focusing too much on getting selected.'
Business models built solely on the premise of subsidies tend to fall apart once the funding runs out.

I believe it is important to think about the essence of the business first, and then use what is available to support it. That is the order of operations.
This is also something we have felt from our own experience of being selected.

Things to do while you can

Regardless of whether you are thinking of applying or not, here are a few things you should do now.

First, try reading the 5 themes by applying them to your own business.
If you feel that a theme is close to what you are already doing, that is a signal that there is room for entry.

Next, think about potential partners you can collaborate with.
Model projects tend to be more likely to be selected when proposed through a combination of different industries rather than being completed by a single company. Try to think about whether any companies come to mind that you could create an interesting proposal with.
The Vacant House Management Association also keeps its doors wide open for you (laughs).

If you are considering applying, the deadline is May 20th, so you won't make it unless you start moving right now.
You can check the details on the official Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism website, so I recommend reading the primary information first.

Even if you don't apply, reading this theme setting as a 'market map'is worthwhile.
Seeing where the government perceives challenges and what kind of solutions they are hoping for will give you hints for thinking about the future direction of your own business.

So, today I have interpreted the 'FY2026 Vacant House Countermeasure Model Project,' going beyond a simple introduction of the system to look at it from the perspective of on-site realities and business opportunities.

Because we at the Vacant House Management Association have experience being selected, I really don't want people to end their interest by thinking it's 'too difficult.'
I believe it is a public offering that anyone can challenge, regardless of scale, if they have ideas, passion, and a little bit of preparation.

I would be happy if those who thought 'this has nothing to do with me' could see a different angle.
The vacant house problem is not just about real estate; it is a theme where community, daily life, and business intersect.
If there is any point that resonates with you personally, please use that as a clue to take a step forward.

I will continue to write about what I see from the field.

▼ Thank you for reading to the end.
If you liked this article even a little, please 'like,' 'comment,' or 'follow' me.

▼How to start a 'Regional Happy Business' with weekend side jobs and weekday multiple jobs
'Your business might save the region.'
When people hear 'vacant house management,' they tend to think of real estate or construction professionals.
But actually, it is highly compatible with various industries.
In this series, I introduce 'different industry' jobs that create unexpected chemical reactions with vacant house management.
You should be able to find something that sparks an idea within you in 'Different Industry x Vacant House Business.'
Why not start with 'I'm a little interested'? Your sensitivity might be the first step to changing the region.

▼ Click here for the association's website where you can read various topics related to vacant houses every day↓↓
https://www.akiyakanrishi.org/
▼ You can also see the works of the 'Vacant House Photo Contest' on Instagram↓↓
https:、/www.instagram.com/akiyakanrishi/
▼ Vacant House Management Office is looking for business partners nationwide↓↓
https://www.akiyakanrisha.net/
▼ We started a podcast on YouTube↓↓
https://www.youtube.com/@user-ve5wl5gv7k/podcasts
▼ You can add our official LINE account as a friend. Please feel free to use it for questions or consultations.↓↓