Launch of Home Sharing Loans from Regional Financial Institutions

Akikatsu, which operates the “Akikatsu Navi” matching platform connecting vacant homeowners, local communities, businesses, and municipalities; Airbnb, the world’s largest accommodation booking platform; and ORICO Corporation announced a business alliance to establish a framework to promote the effective utilization of vacant homes.

In recent years in Japan, the increase in the number of vacant homes has become a social issue due to factors such as a declining birth rate, an aging population, and population decline in regional areas. According to the “2019 Housing and Land Survey” released by the Statistics Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the number of vacant homes reached 8.48 million, and this number continues to increase yearly.

If vacant homes are left unattended, there is not only a risk of collapse or deterioration affecting the surrounding area but also concerns about adverse impacts on the local living environment, such as illegal dumping of garbage. Additionally, even when individuals or businesses want to purchase vacant homes, many cases end up abandoning the purchase due to difficulties in securing the necessary funds, hindering the resolution of the social issue of vacant homes.

In this situation, Akikatsu and ORICO have been working to promote the circulation of vacant homes by commercializing the “Akikatsu Loan,” an unsecured consumer loan with high convenience to meet a wide range of funding needs related to vacant homes, and the vacant home circulation platform “Akikatsu Navi.”

In recent years, with the diversification of working styles and the increasing demand for non-face-to-face workcations, the demand for home sharing has been expanding. By adding the option of utilizing the ever-increasing vacant homes for home sharing, it is believed that this will further promote the circulation of vacant homes. This led to the current business alliance among Airbnb, ORICO, and Akikatsu, aimed at promoting the effective utilization of vacant homes.

As a concrete initiative under this alliance framework, users of the web information platform “Akikatsu Navi,” which matches vacant homeowners with prospective buyers, will be able to obtain a “Home Sharing Loan” from regional financial institutions when purchasing or renovating a vacant home for the purpose of home sharing. This initiative will make it possible to use the loan not only for personal purposes but also for corporate purposes.

The “Home Sharing Loan” is an unsecured loan or small business loan with high convenience to meet a wide range of funding needs related to personal and corporate home sharing operations. The loan limit is expected to range from 500,000 yen to 1,000,000 yen, with a maximum repayment period of 5 to 10 years. ORICO will guarantee the loans from regional financial institutions. Through this initiative, the partners aim to further contribute to the promotion of vacant home circulation.

Going forward, the number of regional financial institutions offering the “Home Sharing Loan” will be expanded nationwide. With the availability of this loan across the country, the circulation and utilization of vacant homes are expected to become more active. Simultaneously, the revitalization of vacant homes listed on home sharing platforms such as Airbnb is anticipated to contribute to the promotion of tourism in various regions.

Airbnb, ORICO, and Akikatsu will continue to effectively utilize their respective resources to address the vacant home issue and engage in initiatives that contribute to regional revitalization and regional development.

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