Why do poor people in Japan live in large houses while the wealthy live in apartments?
Have you ever noticed that in Japanese reality TV shows, the poor people have large private houses, while the rich people tend to live in apartments? Isn't that interesting?
In Vietnam, real estate is often favored. Especially those with high income often buy their own land and build solid houses.
However, in the land of cherry blossoms, Japan, wealthy people with high income tend to choose to live in apartments, condominiums… Meanwhile, people with low income live in separate, spacious houses.
In the famous Japanese manga Doraemon and Shin – the boy lead character, the family of the main character belongs to the normal working class. But they live in independent, spacious houses. In contrast, in Japanese television dramas, the intellectual class such as lawyers, doctors, writers – who have high income in society, often choose to live in condominiums.
Why in a country “with limited land and dense population” like Japan, the poor live in spacious houses while the rich choose crowded apartments?
This is explained by the fact that in Japan, families keep the tradition of passing on the house they are living in through many generations. To this day, many young people choose to live in houses because the land in Japan is privately owned. Except for densely populated areas, these houses are both spacious and do not require additional service costs. Therefore, they save significant costs, including property fees.
As for the wealthy, usually businessmen, intellectuals, and famous people choose to live in the city center because there are surrounding facilities such as transportation, infrastructure… In addition, high-end condominiums always have a secure security system, high-quality, modern living conditions and better ability to prevent natural disasters, earthquakes, which are very common in Japan. But because of that, living in condominiums, apartments also incurs additional costs such as management service fees, monthly parking fees…
In return, when living in the city center, people will have more job opportunities, leisure and entertainment activities, quality education facilities… In modern Tokyo, with limited land and dense population, the rent for an apartment is extremely expensive. On average, an apartment in Tokyo can be more expensive than a suburban house.
The houses in Japanese films are not actually located in Tokyo. They are often houses located in remote areas with relatively cheap real estate prices. Life in these places is more spacious but far from the city and inconvenient when traveling to the city center, limiting job opportunities and expanding business relationships.
In addition, in Japan, there is no clear distinction between the rich and the poor. You can live next to a millionaire without knowing it, because their houses are not different from the surrounding ones. This is explained by the fact that wealthy people in Japan have a community-oriented lifestyle, do not like to show off, so it is difficult to judge a person based on their appearance.
Frequently asked questions
In Japan, land ownership is highly valued and considered a sign of wealth. The country has a limited amount of land, and owning a large house typically indicates financial stability and the ability to afford a significant amount of space. On the other hand, apartments, especially those located in desirable urban areas, tend to be more expensive and sought-after by the wealthy due to their convenience and proximity to amenities and job opportunities.
Apartments in Japan, particularly in popular urban areas like Tokyo, can be costly due to several factors. First, there is a high demand for limited housing stock in these areas, driving up prices. Second, the cost of construction is generally higher in Japan compared to other countries due to the need for earthquake-resistant building materials and designs. Additionally, apartments often come with additional fees and taxes, such as management and maintenance fees, which further increase the overall cost of apartment living.
Japanese culture places a strong emphasis on community and social harmony. This is reflected in their housing choices, where it is common for multiple generations of a family to live together in one large house. This tradition, known as ‘ie’, creates a sense of closeness and support within the family unit. Additionally, Japan has a unique set of customs and manners, such as removing shoes before entering a home, which influences the design and layout of their homes.
Japanese homes are known for their unique design elements that differ from Western homes. For example, traditional Japanese homes often feature tatami mat rooms, sliding doors (fusuma), and a genkan, which is a small entrance area where shoes are removed. Additionally, Japanese homes tend to be more compact and efficiently designed, making use of every available space. They also often incorporate natural materials and focus on bringing the outdoors in, creating a sense of calm and connection to nature.
The Japanese government has implemented various measures to address poverty and housing affordability. They provide public housing options, known as ‘danchi’, which are affordable rental apartments built by the government. Additionally, there are subsidies and financial support programs available to help low-income families secure housing. The government also offers tax breaks and incentives to encourage private developers to build more affordable housing options.
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