The man that sells “haunted” houses in Japan
Selling “haunted” houses can’t be easy but this guy is up for the challenge. Akira aka “ghost estate agent” has been selling haunted houses for the last five years in Japan, according to the BBC. Any house that a dead body was found in can be considered haunted. Murder, suicide, or even a lonely death can lead buyers to believe the ghost of the dead still roam the living and haunt their homes. As of now, he has sold around 500 homes and he feels it’s his duty to sell these homes.
“I sell haunted houses,” Akira told BBC. “I’m the ghost estate agent.”
Many people in Japan believe in ghosts and believe they walk among the living. So, naturally, people wouldn’t want to live in these creepy homes where a cadaver was found in. And who would? Living alone can be scary enough with real-life threats and now you got to deal with supernatural jerks. Between a house that had no dead people in it and a house that had a dead person in it, you’re always going to choose the house without the blood stains. Unless, of course, the price of a dead person’s house is so much lower.
In Japan these “haunted” houses are called “Jiko Bukken.” Akira takes the listing and repairs and renovates the homes before putting it back on the market at a cheaper price. Unsurprisingly, these homes attract younger buyers looking for a great deal. Moreover, the younger generation doesn’t believe in ghosts, so it works out for everyone.
“Most of my clients who buy Jiko Bukken are from the young generation,” he said. “The majority of them don’t believe in the existence of ghosts.”
Akira’s listings have been increasing and will continue to increase in the future. Due to the declining population in Japan, there are more homes than people leading to more Jiko Bukken homes for Akira.
“I think the good point of this job is it is always related with someone’s death and helping with the family’s hard moment,” he said. “It might sound strange to say this job is interesting, but that is our motto.”
Vocabulary:
1.Haunted house = is a house or other building often perceived as being inhabited by disembodied spirits of the deceased who may have been former residents or were familiar with the property.
2.Cadaver = a dead human body
3.Supernatural = caused by forces that cannot be explained by science
Questions:
1.What is considered a haunted house?
2.Why won't people want to live in creepy homes?
3.What is the demographic target of these haunted houses?
4.What is the scariest place in Korea? Why do you consider it scary?
5.What supernatural things do you believe in (ghosts, ESP, fortune tellers, etc.)? Do you think science will ever prove any supernatural beliefs?
