Jun 26 (NHK) - A private research institute estimates that about 30 percent of Japanese houses will be vacant in 16 years unless they are reoccupied or demolished.
Nomura Research Institute forecasts that 21.66 million houses will be empty in 2033.
That's more than double the figure in the most recent survey by the internal affairs ministry. It says the country had 8.2 million vacant homes in 2013, accounting for 13.5 percent of the total.
Nomura says the main factors behind the predicted increase are the shrinking population and the continued building of new residences.
Vacant properties could be used by criminals. They also make it more difficult for local authorities to prepare for disasters.
