Japan's zoning is extremely permissive, permitting almost any development with a maximum level of "disruption" (utilities, traffic, noise, blocking light) for that zone.
I think the problem is cars; if it takes roughly the same amount of time to drive to and find parking at a destination 300 feet vs 13 miles away, there's little incentive to buy a house (or an allyway between 2 houses) and put in a tiny convenient shop or restaurant without parking; making better use of the limited land available.
https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001050453.pdf
It helps a little bit that most of Japan's housing is built so cheaply they become worthless in 20 years.
Japan's zoning is extremely permissive, permitting almost any development with a maximum level of "disruption" (utilities, traffic, noise, blocking light) for that zone.
I think the problem is cars; if it takes roughly the same amount of time to drive to and find parking at a destination 300 feet vs 13 miles away, there's little incentive to buy a house (or an allyway between 2 houses) and put in a tiny convenient shop or restaurant without parking; making better use of the limited land available.
https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001050453.pdf
It helps a little bit that most of Japan's housing is built so cheaply they become worthless in 20 years.