The Rise of a Unique Real Estate Service in Japan
In Japan, a growing concern over the psychological and spiritual implications of property histories has led to the emergence of a specialized real estate agency. This agency focuses on homes where tragic events such as solitary deaths or homicides have occurred. It offers a unique service that certifies properties as “haunt-free,” addressing the fears of potential buyers who are wary of purchasing homes with dark pasts.
Recently, a report highlighted Kachimodo, a real estate agency that scientifically investigates homes with tragic histories and facilitates their transactions. The agency specializes in properties where residents have died from solitary deaths, suicides, or homicides. It provides a service that examines the presence of vengeful spirits and issues a certificate confirming the property as “haunt-free.”
Kazutoshi Kodama, the founder of Kachimodo, introduces himself as a “ghost investigator.” He explained, “We use video cameras, thermal imaging cameras, electromagnetic field meters, barometers, thermometers, and voice recorders to investigate whether vengeful spirits are present in the building.” He added, “After recording and monitoring various environmental factors in real-time for several days, we issue a certificate if no abnormalities are detected.”
Investigating Tragic Properties
The agency is currently investigating a home where a woman took her own life, followed by the solitary death of her son. Kodama stayed in the house for about 20 days but has not detected any unusual phenomena so far. The cost of such investigations ranges from a minimum of 80,000 Japanese yen (approximately 750,000 Korean won) to a maximum of 150,000 Japanese yen (approximately 1.4 million Korean won) per day, depending on the size of the property. The fee has increased from 50,000 Japanese yen (approximately 470,000 Korean won) last year due to growing demand.
In Japan, there is a belief that restless spirits bring misfortune. Current real estate laws also stipulate that sellers must disclose if a tragic incident has occurred in a building. While such properties are considered attractive due to their prices being 10–20% lower than the general market rate, transactions are not very active due to significant psychological barriers among potential buyers. Consequently, some people opt to pay monks or priests to perform exorcisms in addition to using specialized agencies.
The Growing Issue of Solitary Deaths
Meanwhile, cases of solitary deaths in Japan—where individuals die alone after being cut off from society and are discovered late—have significantly increased in the first half of this year. According to statistics released by the Japan Korean National Police Agency in late August, a total of 40,913 people living alone were found dead at home between January and June of this year. This represents an increase of 3,686 cases compared to the same period last year.
Of these, 11,669 deaths were classified by the Japanese government as solitary deaths, where the bodies were discovered more than eight days after death. This also marks an increase of 1,233 cases (11.8%) compared to the same period last year. There were 8,034 cases where discovery took more than 15 days. Among these, 164 individuals were confirmed dead more than a year after their passing.
The Impact on Real Estate Market
The increasing number of solitary deaths has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of the elderly population in Japan. As a result, there is a growing demand for services that can help alleviate the fears associated with purchasing properties with tragic histories. This has led to the rise of agencies like Kachimodo, which offer scientific investigations and certification to reassure potential buyers.
The real estate market in Japan is adapting to these changes, with more emphasis on transparency and the psychological impact of property histories. Sellers are now required to disclose any tragic incidents that have occurred in their homes, and buyers are becoming more informed about the potential risks involved.
As the demand for “haunt-free” properties continues to grow, it is likely that more specialized services will emerge to meet the needs of the market. These services not only address the practical concerns of buyers but also provide a sense of security and peace of mind in an increasingly complex real estate landscape.