It might not be the best financially for her, but if she doesn't put a new home there, maybe a small flower garden, though I don't know what the public garden culture is like in Japan

I think using fire as an example is a bit extreme. I don't know how often arson actually occurs, but the probability should be quite low. You may need to be careful about earthquakes, however. Other things to consider are properties that cannot be rebuilt, properties in flood-prone areas, termites, leaks, properties on cliffs, whether they have flush toilets, etc. I'm just an amateur, not a real estate investor, but if I were to buy, a used detached house in a rural area that's about 30 years old and costs around 10 million yen would be ideal. In Japan, asset value is almost nonexistent after 30 years of construction, so a used house can reduce the difference between buying and selling prices compared to a new house. Also, the facilities in a 30-year-old house are relatively new, so you can choose to either live in it yourself or rent it out to someone.

So sad to see that happen to someone who is working so hard to improve things. Hopefully, she will be able to build something beautiful that gives a family a lovely place to call home.

I’ll buy the land from Naomi if the price is favourable 😊

Suggestion for setting up a community garden. Perhaps try to sell the land to the owner of one of the neighbours once the property has been cleared.

日本の空き家問題と地震の関係 Vacant houses in the suburbs of Tokyo are the result of earthquake damage and weak lifelines. Most of the houses that collapsed in the Miyagi Prefecture offshore earthquake were old and did not have sufficient earthquake resistance. Japanese houses have many walls for earthquake resistance. When buying a vacant house, you will need to spend 2 million yen or more to reinforce it against earthquakes. Be careful about earthquake countermeasures in houses that are behind cliffs, surrounded by rivers and fields, or that are more than 30 years old.

6:05 - many were left homeless.... yet many Akiya in Japan. hmmm. opportunities there....

Hey buddy, long time no talk to hope all is well. So sorry to hear about the house burning down. Please let her know if she's in my area working she can reach out. If you so wish pass on my details.

what ?? omg I am so sorry

How sad guess someone was jealous of how pretty it was

I feel terrible for her and wish her the best!She was an excellent and knowledgeable guest.Loved the video

Japan has some interesting modular pre-fab housing companies that could build her something. Newer homes typically have higher rent

If she plans on buying the second lot, she can turn both into a bigger unit for either apartments or a shared large house.

Claim the insurance?

Does Saito-san sale her homes or just rent?

ずっとこういう動画だけを観ていたい

I have an idea: Ask Anton to build a new house.

Oh goodness, that’s such a nightmare

Definitely not in American.!! We do everything!! Tonkatsu is amazing..tolls are expensive. That is not bad really❤

I would love to visit there next time!!

Buy all the lots and build individual apart and rent . We stayed in one by sasebo it was so so cute. It looked like a storage pod had 2 floors..

住職の人があんな格好で街中歩くことなんてあるんやな…

I know someone who would literally buy that on the spot. Does she actually need someone to take it over?

Here is probably a stupid idea. Since fire is particularly dangerous because of how close the houses are, could she buy the lot of the other house that burned down, put a community vegetable garden on it until she can afford to rebuild (with fire resistant materials), and then build 1 house with more space between it and the next house? Maybe that would never work because of the cost.

This is so sad, my first thought was maybe a neighbor or previous owner set the fire, no one mentioned surveillance either, I have been to Japan and know that people there are very trustworthy, but the world we live in today is so dangerous! Also, some lots are rebuildable and some aren't, so in this case can she rebuild or not?

Most probably an electrical fault.

Naomi u say My doulingo teacher 😅

Sue the neighbor even it they wanted to happend. If it was from maybe constrution comp. What messed up something she directly change to them if it was others fault.. and if something like that often happens.. As ex fire protection officer they could be do more for safty if are many houses nearby and use spez. Materials.. and many more.. Edit. I dont no the name dont find it but there is a special paint the perfect if a fire start it will foam and its harder to burn.

I have no ideas to help her now, but maybe some ideas for the future. Are metal roofs ever used in Japan? How about facing the outside with some type of stone? Would it look bizarre? I say these 2 things because that would help against fire, not because of aesthetics. Are there windows that are more fire resistant? I feel terrible for her!

Seems that having internet with cameras for security is necessary early on, to at least help an eventual investigation.

Fire is a risk with any home, not just an Akiya.

scary to think that all that hard work is gone in flash

I hope she had insurance 😭

I was thinking with all that wood maybe someone left a cloth with stain on it. Those spontaneously combust.

Okonomiyaki is “OSAKA TRADITIONAL FOOD” bro By Osaka local person

Let me have the land

I know that this would cost money but, if I were in Saito san's situation, I would try to track down the owner of the plot where the house targetted in the arson attack stood and, assuming they are not the arsonist, consider buying the plot. Now that could provide the opportunity to build two, up-to-code homes on the site but, personally, I would consider looking at creating an outdoor space that could serve the community, if possible. If the community is made up of mostly seniors, would they appreciate a low maintenance garden space where they could meet up. If akiya in that area are being renovated to sell on or to rent out as permanent homes, the space could also provide an opportunity for existing inhabitats to meet new neighbours. Obviously, I don't know if such a space would be useful or, whether the idea would fit in with Japanese cultural norms but, I am aware that elsewhere, where older people have no outdoor space or, are unable to maintain their own spaces, this could add to any existing problems of isolation. Raised beds could incorporate edible plants, sensory plants and plants that hold aa special place or significance, in the memories of older residents. I'm sure that local residents are relieved to see abandoned eyesores transformed into livable dwellings again but, I am conscious of there being the potential for there to be downsides similar to those experienced in my own country, where gentrification, and also the proliferation of converting housing into holiday lets, drives out locals who can no longer afford to live in or buy property in their area and, alienates those who remain. I'm also wondering, since there are so many empty houses that present fire and earthquake risks, is there potential to develop a business that could salvage structural components from houses that are beyond renovating, so that they can be incorporated into new building or renovations?

oh man, sad to put all that work in and /then/ have the fire...

I love your akiya and renovation vids!

Why not put a small business there?

She rebuilt modern cinderblock 4 unit Studio apartments rent them out for long term rentals. Euro style lots of storage Murphy bed frame! Built in air fryer oven/microwave , coffee maker, and boiling water tap. 2 burner stove top, Built in place for rice cooker. And a vent. Also built in combo washer dryer no bathtub just nice modern walk in shower smart toilet mirror storage unit. And you’re done. Just make sure the bed holds 2 people and a bonus would be a sliding door to close the sleep space and a small balcony enough for 2 chairs. I would rent it!👏🏾😆

Such upsetting news for Saito san. I'm very sorry. What she might consider doing is asking the community what they think the community needs? I'm aware that in smaller towns there are often community organizations. Maybe a newer build would be more attractive to a full time resident of Japan, and commuting to work in Tokyo? Something more fire and earthquake resistant too. I have had friends lose homes in California wildfires. Of the 3, 2 gave up and sold the land (with one moving out of the state), and the 3rd rebuild. If you think there is still promise in the community, then build a commuter home with the intent to sell (or rent if you think you can extract more value out of it). Otherwise, maybe try to sell the land to reduce the cost of the loss. Good luck!

Agricultural land. And sell it to a Japanese person, or foreigner if permitted.

Means she can rebuild?

Since tiny homes are all the rage, I would build one in old school Akiya style. Do have a question, as an English speaker and halfway around the world, is there any webpages you can look at, that doesn't require me to learn Japanese?

damn, arson of the next door neighbour's house that also burns your own home, that really sucks. I wonder if it's insurance fraud.

My question how does that neighbour akiya caught fire 🔥 🤔 any explanation till now ?

Oh no! It was so beautiful 😢

Her English is excellent. I'm so impressed with her. I'm sorry for all the trouble, but she clearly has the know-how to continue to prosper

I hope Saito-San doesn't get any more grief for this. what a shocking thing to happen. Has she though of maybe selling the land to an investor? or someone who would like to build their own home? I know to build from scratch can cost a lot, but there might be some people out there who are interested in purchasing the land.