Creating sustainable communities by renovating vacant Japanese houses
The Problem
The number of vacant houses across Japan has increased to over 10 million due to unbalanced development, depopulation, and an aging society. These structures devastate neighborhoods by undermining the quality of life, diminish the value of nearby properties, and cause severe fiscal damage to local governments while creating a blight on environments.
The Opportunity
We can all help to revitalize communities. Many regions with high concentrations of vacant houses are also home to unparalleled natural beauty and are easily accessible, creating an opportunity for everyone to enjoy these “curated homes” produced by Minkalife.
About Us
Leveraging over 50 years of collective experience, MinkaLife breathes life back into vacant houses in Japan. Through careful renovation we reposition vacant houses, enabling them to become assets to society once more. We de-risk these assets through proprietary data analytics, pre-investment due diligence, post-investment management, and impact measurement during the operational phase.
SDG
1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Our Impact
The restoration and repositioning of abandoned houses reinvigorates economic activity in neglected regions, enabling occupants to positively influence communities while crafting new lifestyles in line with their own values. As technological advancements continue to improve connectivity, MinkaLife looks to provide smart, comfortable houses while leading the transition away from today’s demolition and throw-away society by substantially increasing the lifespan of Japanese houses.
MinkaLife Properties
Sado Island Project
Our first project lies in the beautiful nature-rich island of Sado, located 50km off the coast of Niigata prefecture in the North of Japan.
A traditional townhouse with a kura warehouse sheltered from the elements will be transformed into a home-away-from-home for explorers, artists and athletes.
Civil Infrastructure
Our plan is to expand through building a civic infrastructure platform, attracting digital nomads and remote workers, extended holidays/workcation, and attracting investors
Step 1: Proof of Concept (Sado Island), 2026~27
Step 2: Angel & Impact Investors help add 9 more houses, by 2028
Step 3: Series A and corporate loan adds 40 houses
Step 4: Series B & Refinancing
