Empty houses to be ryokan or nursary schools
Revised Building Standard Act, which include a bill to ease restriction for empty houses to be diverted to ryokan (accommodation) and nursery schools, has passed by a vote in the Lower House plenary session. Applicable buildings are limited to up to 200-square meters and 3-story small-scale buildings that do not require fireproof repair work, and the revised act is aiming to secure accommodations for inbound tourists and accelerate elimination of children on waiting list for nursery schools.
An article from Nikkei Shimbun dated June 21, 2018
https://r.nikkei.com/article/DGKKZO32002300Q8A620C1PP8000