Kominka Japan volunteer organization in Japan has held their first annual MINKA SUMMIT attended by 300 people from across Japan. This was a 3-day event of talks, old house (MINKA) visits, talks by experts, authors, carpenters and influencers connected to Minka in Japan, and a Minka Mall where companies and organisations had information and product booths to support a rural, Minka lifestyle.

The MINKA visits were a popular way to see traditional houses on the market that can be renovated, as well as visit remodeled houses to talk with the owners and gain insights to inspire participants to go to other rural areas of Japan to buy old homes with a similar aim of repairing for a more sustainable lifestyle or entrepreneurial ideas like guest houses, home office spaces or eateries.

A vast majority of these well-made traditional houses are empty or destroyed each year in Japan and the problem is increasing as the elderly move out of these homes and the rural areas and the population in general is on the decline.

Kominka Japan non-profit brings people together from across Japan: government officials, individuals as well as businesses to exchange information on how people could be supported to move into the rural areas, buy one of these old homes to renovate, and contribute to reviving the rural communities while enjoying a better quality of life. There is government support programs in different areas, DIY tips, professional repair people and other insiders who can assist and support the transition, but until Kominka Japan was established it was hard to find this information.

Over 300 people attended the MINKA SUMMIT event in April and the Facebook group and social media support is growing. If the Minka Summit Event can be held every year, this can lead to more adoption of reuse of old houses and community development in rural areas as well as better work-life balance for individuals, their families and communities.

The playlist below is for all the interviews on Seek Sustainable Japan talkshow-podcast with people in Japan connected with reuse and renovation of old traditional Japanese buildings and structures across Japan.