The Era of 40% Single-Person Households: Transforming 9 Million Vacant Homes into 'Homes for Myself'

Taka Kenchiku Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Okayama City, Kita Ward / Representative Director: Ryuta Takamoto), which develops high-performance renovation business based in Okayama Prefecture, will fully strengthen its proposal for "O Hitori Sama Renovation" (Renovation for One Person), a vacant house utilization renovation targeting single individuals, starting July 2026. Okayama Prefecture's vacant house rate is 16.4%, exceeding the national average (13.8%) and ranking high in the Chugoku region. This initiative connects the worsening vacant house problem with the needs of rapidly increasing single-person households through renovations that improve housing performance.

Key Points of This Release

● Nationwide, there are 9 million vacant homes, with approximately 157,000 in Okayama Prefecture (vacant house rate of 16.4% within the prefecture). Converting used housing stock from 'negative assets' to 'resources for the next stage of life'.

● By 2050, 44.3% of all households will be single-person households. Housing needs are structurally changing from 'homes for families' to 'homes for myself'.

● Achieves high insulation, airtightness, and earthquake resistance, plus personal worldview. One-stop service from purchasing used homes to design, construction, inheritance registration, and rights consolidation.

1. Background: Towards a Society Where 'Living Alone' Becomes the Norm

According to the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research's "Future Projections of Household Numbers in Japan (2024 Estimate)," the proportion of single-person households is projected to increase from 38.0% in 2020 to 44.3% by 2050. An era where nearly one in two Japanese people live alone is fast approaching.

The value sought in housing is also shifting significantly from 'spaciousness' and 'number of rooms' to 'being able to spend time comfortably and in one's own way'.

2. Background: Okayama's Vacant House Rate of 16.4% Exceeds National Average

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "2023 Housing and Land Survey" shows that the number of vacant homes nationwide reached 9,002,000, and the vacant house rate was 13.8%, both hitting record highs.

Okayama Prefecture has approximately 157,000 vacant homes, with a vacant house rate of 16.4%, an increase of about 14,000 homes in the past five years. This rate is also high in the Chugoku region, raising concerns about its impact on the local landscape, disaster prevention, and circulation.

"Inherited but cannot be utilized," "Too old to live in," "Demolition costs are high," "Concerns about earthquake resistance and insulation."

-- Homes that become dormant for these reasons are quietly accumulating in the region.

BeforeAfter

3. What is "O Hitori Sama Renovation"?

"O Hitori Sama Renovation" proposed by Taka Kenchiku is not just a simple renovation, but a redesign project with the concept of "creating a home that accompanies a single person's life." Its features are as follows:

1 Improve Performance

Housing performance such as high insulation, airtightness, and earthquake resistance is improved simultaneously with design. Transforming old vacant houses into living environments where people can live safely and for a long time.

2 Make "Likes" the Star

A living room where vintage furniture shines, a kitchen like a cafe, a cozy room surrounded by books and plants. Because it's a compact home, you can fully reflect your own worldview.

3 One-Stop Support

Comprehensive support from searching for used homes to design and construction, inheritance registration, and rights consolidation, in cooperation with specialists such as judicial scriveners. Even for single individuals unfamiliar with home building, the point of contact is singular and complete.

On-site photo during construction: High-performance insulation being installed

4. A Scene from Life

● The moment you sit on the sofa after returning from work, you think, "I love this space."

● On holidays, brew coffee in your favorite mug and spend time surrounded by plants and books.

● A personal atelier space where you can proudly display your hobby tools.

Not a floor plan for a family, nor a room for guests. Arranging the place where you spend the most time, for yourself. "O Hitori Sama Renovation" supports that freedom.

Status and Future of Housing and Households in Japan

Company Profile

Company Name

Taka Kenchiku Co., Ltd.

Location

7-123 Shiroishi Nishi Shinmachi, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture

Representative

Ryuta Takamoto, Representative Director

Established

March 1, 1988

Business Activities

1. Design of custom-built wooden houses 2. General construction, additions, renovations 3. In-house brand product development and sales 4. Architectural design office

URL

https://taka-renovation.com/

Inquiries and Interview Requests Regarding This Matter

Taka Kenchiku Co., Ltd.

TEL: 086-250-0553

Reception Hours: Weekdays 9:00 - 18:00

* On-site guidance for construction examples, interviews with Representative Takamoto, and coverage/filming are also available. Please feel free to contact us.