Abstract
In recent years, “vacant houses” have become a social issue in Japan, and not only utilization but also the prevention of their occurrence has become an important challenge. This study was conducted with high school students to promote awareness of vacant houses. The approach was designed not only to provide one-sided explanations but also to make the experience participatory to enhance effectiveness. Through a board game that simulated real-life experiences, students were able to enjoy learning knowledge, and the effectiveness was evaluated by analyzing survey results conducted before and after the activity. The analysis showed that while it is difficult to change the perception of their own home through a short simulation experience, it was effective in broadening the recognition of vacant houses and improving understanding. The survey observed responses such as: “Even though no one lives in the house, the owner still owns it, so there is no need to view it as a community problem,” “It seems unlikely that more vacant houses like this will appear in the neighborhood,” and “Vacant houses in the neighborhood are unlikely to cause trouble.” These responses suggest that this initiative was effective in fostering an understanding of vacant houses. However, perhaps due to the insufficient duration of the activity, it did not have a significant effect on changing the students’ awareness of the future of their own homes.
