For me this was my biggest problem with living in Japan. The biggest culture gap to deal with. It was a big struggle.
Its curious as online in urban planning related communities you always see people singing Japan’s praises as an example of a country that does things right- these people of course exclusively refer to central Tokyo with its high density of railways and the edge of town sprawl being far away. In central Tokyo this approach works.
But of course, as is now getting more recognition as in this article, this free for all on development absolutely murders smaller towns and cities. Its key to the donut effect and general collapse in community cohesion- I’d go so far as to link it up as one aspect in the low birth rate (no town centres=no places where people congregate and meet new people=no shagging).
Certainly the tangible impacts of increased cost for providing services and infrastructure are very real. Its ironic as Japan is usually a country known for long term thinking, yet in all these Aeon developments they’re instead pursuing the least holistic most short term of thinking you can get.
The station next to mine was essentially developed over the last 15 years and it is considered a desirable place to live. Quality shopping, access to transport, and everything is new and fancy.
My town is right on the border and has very different regulations for construction so it remains quite rural feeling here, but as soon as I go up the valley I see two huge residential developments going in where proper forest use to be.
In a way, this is what Japanese consumers want. New houses in areas with good shopping. No one actually wants to live in smaller cities – especially younger people who are too comfortable with convenience.
The reality is young people are meeting new folks on the internet and engaging in relationships from the comfort of their home rather than at bars. This is safer and much more affordable. There is also much less pressure for women to get married and for men to become salarymen. People are comfortable being alone and there is not as much negativity associated with being single and happy living alone as there was 30 years ago.
If anything we will see semi-suburban areas become more urban and proper rural areas become more rural. I am fine with that. Rural life will become more appealing over time, but there needs to be a balance of amenities that are quite hard to find right now.
From what I understand even with people moving in from the countryside due to rapid aging and depopulation Tokyo will start shrinking within the next few years with no way to reverse the trend.
3 comments
For me this was my biggest problem with living in Japan. The biggest culture gap to deal with. It was a big struggle.
Its curious as online in urban planning related communities you always see people singing Japan’s praises as an example of a country that does things right- these people of course exclusively refer to central Tokyo with its high density of railways and the edge of town sprawl being far away. In central Tokyo this approach works.
But of course, as is now getting more recognition as in this article, this free for all on development absolutely murders smaller towns and cities. Its key to the donut effect and general collapse in community cohesion- I’d go so far as to link it up as one aspect in the low birth rate (no town centres=no places where people congregate and meet new people=no shagging).
Certainly the tangible impacts of increased cost for providing services and infrastructure are very real. Its ironic as Japan is usually a country known for long term thinking, yet in all these Aeon developments they’re instead pursuing the least holistic most short term of thinking you can get.
The station next to mine was essentially developed over the last 15 years and it is considered a desirable place to live. Quality shopping, access to transport, and everything is new and fancy.
My town is right on the border and has very different regulations for construction so it remains quite rural feeling here, but as soon as I go up the valley I see two huge residential developments going in where proper forest use to be.
In a way, this is what Japanese consumers want. New houses in areas with good shopping. No one actually wants to live in smaller cities – especially younger people who are too comfortable with convenience.
The reality is young people are meeting new folks on the internet and engaging in relationships from the comfort of their home rather than at bars. This is safer and much more affordable. There is also much less pressure for women to get married and for men to become salarymen. People are comfortable being alone and there is not as much negativity associated with being single and happy living alone as there was 30 years ago.
If anything we will see semi-suburban areas become more urban and proper rural areas become more rural. I am fine with that. Rural life will become more appealing over time, but there needs to be a balance of amenities that are quite hard to find right now.
From what I understand even with people moving in from the countryside due to rapid aging and depopulation Tokyo will start shrinking within the next few years with no way to reverse the trend.