Millions of Japanese homes are abandoned, and owners are giving them away for free

Japan's home prices may be rising, but the city still has more than 8 million unoccupied properties - so many that owners have taken to giving them away for free. In some cases, local governments are even offering subsidies for people willing to tear down homes and build new ones, according to media reports. Though many properties aren't listed on the market, they do appear on online databases called akiya banks, a reference to the Japanese word for "empty home." While some of these properties are being given away, others are being sold for as little as $4. Those outside Japan can purchase the properties without a residence visa, though it's much easier to find financing if you have one, or have at least worked in the country. Many of the homes are dilapidated - a product of the shoddy construction methods used during the postwar housing boom in the 1960s. These prefabricated structures have a lifespan of just 20 to 30 years, according to media. A number of them are also built on sloping land, making them structurally unsound. But there are bigger reasons why no one seems interested in buying. Japan's population is shrinking, with researchers predicting the loss of around 16 million citizens in a little more than two decades. Its residents are also trending older, meaning there are fewer young people trying to nab property - particularly in suburban or rural areas. The phenomenon has carried over into urban areas as well. Media reported that more than one in ten homes in Tokyo are now empty. Though there's certainly a demand for property in cities, Japan's real estate market actually encourages the demolition of buildings. Property taxes are six times higher on land with a physical structure as opposed to a vacant lot. While this problem could be addressed by government incentives, reversing the mindset of local buyers may be a difficult task. In Japan, it's often considered bad luck to purchase a home that has witnessed a murder, suicide, or "lonely death" (one that occurred in isolation). Many would prefer to abandon these stigmatized properties than invest in sordid land. A few realtors have sidestepped superstitions by performing rituals and incorporating fengshui into their renovations. But, to many owners, the homes simply aren't worth the investment. Even the akiya banks haven't resulted in many sales.