RE-HAK: A Novel Refurbish-to-Host Solution Using AI-Driven Blockchain to Advance Circular Economy and Revitalize Japan’s Akiyas
In recent decades, Japan has faced rural depopulation due to urban migration, resulting in widespread property abandonment, the “Akiyas”. This paper presents RE-HAK (Refurbish to Host in Akiyas), a blockchain-based framework promoting a circular economy (CE). RE-HAK enables occupants to live rent-fr...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/11/1883 |
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| author | Manuel Herrador Wil de Jong Kiyokazu Nasu Lorenz Granrath |
| author_facet | Manuel Herrador Wil de Jong Kiyokazu Nasu Lorenz Granrath |
| author_sort | Manuel Herrador |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent decades, Japan has faced rural depopulation due to urban migration, resulting in widespread property abandonment, the “Akiyas”. This paper presents RE-HAK (Refurbish to Host in Akiyas), a blockchain-based framework promoting a circular economy (CE). RE-HAK enables occupants to live rent-free in Akiyas by completing AI-managed refurbishment milestones via smart contracts. Each milestone—waste removal, structural repairs, or energy upgrades—is verified and recorded on the blockchain. Benefits include: (1) rural economic revival through restoration incentives; (2) sustainable CE adoption; (3) preserving property values by halting deterioration; (4) safeguarding cultural heritage via traditional architecture restoration; and (5) transparent management through automated contracts, minimizing disputes. Findings from three case studies demonstrate RE-HAK’s adaptability across skill levels and project scales, though limitations such as rural digital literacy gaps and reliance on government support for scalability are noted. The framework advances Japan’s revitalization goals while offering a replicable model for nations facing depopulation and property abandonment, contingent on addressing technological and policy barriers. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7a47a9ebbb084dcca802c5dad3e99391 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-7a47a9ebbb084dcca802c5dad3e993912025-08-20T02:33:10ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-05-011511188310.3390/buildings15111883RE-HAK: A Novel Refurbish-to-Host Solution Using AI-Driven Blockchain to Advance Circular Economy and Revitalize Japan’s AkiyasManuel Herrador0Wil de Jong1Kiyokazu Nasu2Lorenz Granrath3Department of Computer Science, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaen, SpainChair of Silviculture, Universität Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg, GermanyCircle Design Co., Ltd., Tokyo 156-0043, JapanLaboratory of Bio-Solid State Science, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, JapanIn recent decades, Japan has faced rural depopulation due to urban migration, resulting in widespread property abandonment, the “Akiyas”. This paper presents RE-HAK (Refurbish to Host in Akiyas), a blockchain-based framework promoting a circular economy (CE). RE-HAK enables occupants to live rent-free in Akiyas by completing AI-managed refurbishment milestones via smart contracts. Each milestone—waste removal, structural repairs, or energy upgrades—is verified and recorded on the blockchain. Benefits include: (1) rural economic revival through restoration incentives; (2) sustainable CE adoption; (3) preserving property values by halting deterioration; (4) safeguarding cultural heritage via traditional architecture restoration; and (5) transparent management through automated contracts, minimizing disputes. Findings from three case studies demonstrate RE-HAK’s adaptability across skill levels and project scales, though limitations such as rural digital literacy gaps and reliance on government support for scalability are noted. The framework advances Japan’s revitalization goals while offering a replicable model for nations facing depopulation and property abandonment, contingent on addressing technological and policy barriers.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/11/1883Akiyarefurbish to hostrural revitalizationcircular economyAIblockchain |
| spellingShingle | Manuel Herrador Wil de Jong Kiyokazu Nasu Lorenz Granrath RE-HAK: A Novel Refurbish-to-Host Solution Using AI-Driven Blockchain to Advance Circular Economy and Revitalize Japan’s Akiyas Buildings Akiya refurbish to host rural revitalization circular economy AI blockchain |
| title | RE-HAK: A Novel Refurbish-to-Host Solution Using AI-Driven Blockchain to Advance Circular Economy and Revitalize Japan’s Akiyas |
| title_full | RE-HAK: A Novel Refurbish-to-Host Solution Using AI-Driven Blockchain to Advance Circular Economy and Revitalize Japan’s Akiyas |
| title_fullStr | RE-HAK: A Novel Refurbish-to-Host Solution Using AI-Driven Blockchain to Advance Circular Economy and Revitalize Japan’s Akiyas |
| title_full_unstemmed | RE-HAK: A Novel Refurbish-to-Host Solution Using AI-Driven Blockchain to Advance Circular Economy and Revitalize Japan’s Akiyas |
| title_short | RE-HAK: A Novel Refurbish-to-Host Solution Using AI-Driven Blockchain to Advance Circular Economy and Revitalize Japan’s Akiyas |
| title_sort | re hak a novel refurbish to host solution using ai driven blockchain to advance circular economy and revitalize japan s akiyas |
| topic | Akiya refurbish to host rural revitalization circular economy AI blockchain |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/11/1883 |
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