This is more of a reach goal for me since I am still in my "collect 4 green houses before trading up to a red hotel" stage, but I thought I would ask the hive mind anyways.

First of all it's very rare a seller gets a buyer's EMD deposit for buyer's financing falling thru.

Your time is worth money, it's time that guests aren't renting your house. 

If I were in your and/or your mother-in-laws shoes, I would go to a local bank and use the free and clear house to secure a $150K+ line of credit. 

Mike Lambert above is correct about house values in Japan.

If it does go to probate, hopefully your brothers and you can amicably go the informal route vs formal (I've worked with families in both when buying properties out of probate and informal is FAR easier).Since there's no debt on the house, maybe you could sell with financing or maybe you could even buy out your brothers with financing -- that way you maintain ownership and just pay them a monthly amount.

Those same houses 2 miles away, could be a different micro-market, and rent for $1300. 

Some types of Creative Financing include: Seller/Owner Financing, Land Contract, Wrap, Assumption, Subto, Lease Option, Contract for Deed.

FlashlightTape measure/Laser measurePaper/Pen/iPadBinocularsReceptacle testerLevelMarbleDroneRespirator/Face Mask/Eye Protection/GlovesAQI testerWater pressure gaugeThermal cameraEndoscope cameraKnifeI bought over 20 houses in my lifetime and I’ve never taken more than a flashlight. 

BRRR/house hack/str/mtr/ltr.... leveraged equity building vs. cash flow).3.