Goshogawara City orders removal of vacant houses by November 6

Takamasa Sasaki, Mayor of Goshogawara City, published a public notice in the Official Gazette Extra (Public Notice section) dated October 8, 2026, ordering the demolition and the removal/disposal of movable property for a “Specified Vacant House, etc.” whose owner cannot be identified. The deadline for these measures was set for November 6, 2026. The target is a wooden residence located at 201-6 Aza-Shimohiraicho, Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture, which has been certified as being in a state that poses a significant risk to public safety, such as the collapse of the second-floor section.

Framework of the Public Notice Based on Article 22 of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Vacant Houses, etc.

The legal basis for this case is the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Promotion of Vacant House Measures (Act No. 127 of 2014). The target is a “Specified Vacant House, etc.” as defined in Article 2, Paragraph 2 of the Act—namely, a vacant house that, if left as is, is likely to be in a state that poses a significant risk to public safety, such as collapse. The Act stipulates that the mayor of a municipality may take gradual measures, such as advice/guidance, recommendations, and orders.

In this case, since the owner or manager of the property (hereinafter referred to as the “Owner, etc.”) cannot be identified, the method of public notice was adopted pursuant to the provisions of Article 22, Paragraph 10 of the Act. The notice was issued by Goshogawara City and dated October 8, 2026, in the name of the Mayor. The contents of the notice will be posted at the notice board of the Goshogawara City Hall located at 41-1 Aza-Nunoyacho, Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture, and on the Goshogawara City website.

Overview of the Target Specified Vacant House, etc.

• Location: 201-6 Aza-Shimohiraicho, Goshogawara City
• House Number: 201-6
• Use: Residence
• Structure: Wooden
• Total Floor Area: 79.20 square meters

Details of the Ordered Measures and Reasons for Danger

The measures ordered by the Mayor are to demolish the target property and to remove and appropriately dispose of movable property remaining inside the building and on its premises.

As the reason for the order, the public notice cites the confirmation of the collapse of the second-floor section, decay/damage/deformation of structurally major parts (foundations, pillars, beams, etc.), and damage/loss exceeding half of the roof. It was determined that the property is in a state that poses a significant risk to public safety, as there are concerns regarding human casualties and other damages to the surroundings due to further collapse or the scattering of damaged components.

Deadline for Measures, Handling of Movable Property, and Implementation by the Mayor

• Deadline for measures: November 6, 2026
• Any person wishing to claim rights to movable property, etc., must remove said items, or specify the items for storage or handover, by the deadline.
• The Mayor of Goshogawara City, or a person ordered/delegated by the Mayor, shall implement the measures pursuant to the provisions of Article 22, Paragraph 10 of the Act.
• If the Owner, etc., is identified, the costs required for the measures will be collected.
• When the Mayor and others carry out the measures, they shall remove and dispose of movable property, etc., existing inside the building and on the premises.

Impact on the Safety of Local Residents and Rights Holders

With this public notice, the procedures have been established allowing the administration to proceed with removal even if the owner remains unidentified. For local residents, this works toward eliminating the risk of personal injury caused by collapse or scattering debris; on the other hand, third parties claiming rights to movable property, etc., are placed in a position where such property will be removed or disposed of unless they carry out the removal, storage, or handover by the deadline.

Furthermore, if the owner or other relevant parties are identified at a later date, the expenses required for the measures will be collected. This case, in which the administration removes hazards on behalf of owners of unidentified vacant houses, serves as an example that tests the effectiveness of vacant house countermeasures—specifically, how to balance the ensuring of local safety with the protection of procedural rights.

Source: Official Gazette, Thursday, October 8, 2026, Extra Edition, Public Notice Section, “Public Notice of Removal Order for Specified Vacant Houses, etc.” (Issuing Authority: Goshogawara City, Mayor of Goshogawara Takamasa Sasaki, October 8, 2026). Legal Basis: Act on Special Measures Concerning Promotion of Vacant Houses, etc. (Act No. 127 of 2014), Article 2, Paragraph 2, and Article 22, Paragraph 10.