idea Co., Ltd. launches real estate referral program for stone and altar shops

idea Co., Ltd. has launched a partnership program targeting stone and Buddhist altar shops in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures. The initiative aims to address the issue of abandoned vacant houses by connecting customers undergoing graveyard removal (haka-jimai) with real estate services.

As people move away from ancestral homes, they often settle graveyard matters before deciding what to do with the family residence. This program allows stone and altar shop owners to refer clients considering real estate sales to idea Co., Ltd. In exchange, partners receive referral fees ranging from 220,000 to 550,000 yen per successful transaction, depending on the sale price.

The program responds to rising vacancy rates in Japan. According to Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications data, the number of vacant houses in Japan reached a record 9 million in 2023, with millions of these properties not currently listed for rent or sale.