Japan's central and local governments operate dozens of grant programs designed to encourage people to buy and renovate vacant properties in depopulating regions. Many of these programs are unknown to foreign buyers because they are administered locally and receive minimal publicity. Combined, eligible buyers can receive up to ¥7,400,000.
Category 1 — Relocation Support (移住支援金)
National Framework Grant
The central government provides a framework under which prefectures and municipalities implement relocation support grants. Standard amounts:
- Single adult: up to ¥600,000
- Couple: up to ¥1,000,000
- Per child under 18: additional ¥300,000 (up to 3 children = ¥900,000)
- Remote worker bonus: up to ¥1,000,000
The destination must be a designated depopulated area (過疎地域). Many rural municipalities qualify; central Tokyo and major cities do not. You must register as a resident (住民票) at the new address.
Category 2 — Akiya Purchase & Renovation (空き家取得・改修補助金)
Municipal Akiya Subsidies
These are the most directly relevant programs for akiya buyers. They are administered at the municipal level with significant variation.
- Purchase assistance: 10–30% of purchase price, up to ¥300,000–¥1,000,000
- Renovation assistance: 20–50% of renovation costs, up to ¥500,000–¥3,000,000
Properties registered in an official municipal akiya bank often attract higher subsidies than those found through private channels. This is a deliberate incentive to use the official system.
Category 3 — Seismic Retrofit (耐震改修補助)
Earthquake Safety Subsidies
All prefectures operate seismic retrofit programs for pre-1981 buildings. Among the most generous and widely available programs in Japan.
- Seismic assessment: up to ¥100,000 subsidy
- Seismic retrofit: up to ¥1,200,000 (income-scaled)
- Tokyo special: up to 2/3 of cost, max ¥1,500,000
Category 4 — Family Support (子育て支援)
Many municipalities offer additional grants for families with children relocating from urban areas. Common structure: ¥100,000–¥500,000 per child under school age, paid in addition to the standard relocation grant. Some municipalities offer free childcare enrollment for the first year.
Category 5 — Remote Work (テレワーク支援)
Introduced during COVID-19 and retained, these programs target remote workers who maintain their income while relocating. Up to ¥1,000,000 for employees of companies headquartered outside the region who relocate while continuing remote employment.
How grants stack — maximum ¥7.4M
| Program | Maximum Amount |
|---|---|
| Relocation support (single) | ¥600,000 |
| Child supplement (2 children) | ¥600,000 |
| Remote work bonus | ¥1,000,000 |
| Akiya purchase subsidy | ¥1,000,000 |
| Akiya renovation subsidy | ¥3,000,000 |
| Seismic retrofit subsidy | ¥1,200,000 |
| Total potential | ¥7,400,000 |
A family purchasing a ¥1,500,000 akiya and investing ¥5,000,000 in renovation could theoretically receive ¥7,400,000 in grants — covering the entire investment and then some. This requires hitting every program simultaneously in a particularly generous municipality, but it illustrates why "government pays you to move here" is not an exaggeration in some cases.
Eligibility for foreign buyers
Permanent residents (永住者) and certain long-term visa holders are generally eligible if they meet the residence duration and relocation conditions. Spouse visa holders who have lived in a qualifying urban area may also qualify. Self-employed foreign nationals working remotely may be eligible under some municipal programs.
Always confirm eligibility with the specific municipality before making any purchase decision based on anticipated grant income. We can assist with this during a consultation.
Top 5 municipalities for grants
Koumi Town, Nagano (小海町)
Renovation subsidy up to ¥1,500,000 for akiya bank properties. Additional ¥300,000 for community activity use. Must register residence within 6 months.
Nishiawakura Village, Okayama (西粟倉村)
One of Japan's most actively promoted relocation municipalities. Renovation subsidy up to ¥1,000,000. Business startup grants for entrepreneurs. English support available.
Ama Town, Shimane — Oki Islands (海士町)
Very proactive relocation program. Housing subsidy up to ¥1,000,000 for purchase plus renovation support. Dedicated English-language migration support. Successfully attracted multiple foreign residents.
Hokuto City, Yamanashi (北杜市)
Near Yatsugatake mountains, popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Purchase subsidy up to ¥500,000, renovation subsidy up to ¥1,000,000. Clean Air Act designation area.
Itoshima City, Fukuoka (糸島市)
Strong foreign resident community. Renovation subsidy up to ¥700,000. Just 30 minutes from Fukuoka city — practical for hybrid urban-rural lifestyle.
How we flag grant eligibility
Every qualifying listing on buyjapanproperty.com shows a green grant badge with the estimated maximum grant amount. We cross-reference the property's municipality against our grant database to determine eligibility. Look for the Grants available badge on listings.
How to apply
- Identify the target municipality from your property listing
- Contact the municipality's migration support office (移住担当窓口)
- Confirm eligibility before committing to purchase — some grants require application before the purchase contract is signed
- Gather documentation: purchase contract, renovation quotes, residence registration (住民票)
- Submit application through the municipality
Our team can assist with grant research and application guidance during a $25 consultation.