Why are there no basements in Japan?

Japanese houses don't have cellars or basements. It is apparently prohibited by laws. What a waste of space in crowded cities like Tokyo. No wine cellar, no additional place to store food, but since they don't normally have central heating, so they don't need a boiler.
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Can you have a basement in Japan?

Basement Depth

However, a law passed in 2001 said that land ownership rights in populated areas such as Tokyo and Kansai only extend to 40 meters below ground (approx. 13 stories). This means you cannot build a basement that is more than 40 meters below ground.
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Why are Japanese houses not built to last?

Unlike in other countries, homes in Japan rapidly depreciate over time, becoming nearly valueless 20-30 years after they were built. If someone moves out of a home before that time frame, the house is seen as having no value and is demolished in favor of the land, which is seen as being high in value.
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Why are Japanese walls so thin?

Homes in Japan have thin walls, long eaves to prevent sunshine of summer from coming into rooms, sliding doors and walls, which make these homes chillier during cooler weather.
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Why does Japan have abandoned houses?

There are numerous and complicated reasons why Japanese homes became vacant. The most obvious is the declining birthrate and an aging population, but another reason is location. Most akiya are located far away from major cities where a good portion of jobs are found.
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Why are There No Basements in the Southern US?



Why is Japan so empty?

The most obvious reason for this situation is Japan's unfolding demographic crisis which has seen its population fall by roughly 200,000 people a year since its peak of 128.5 million in 2009. But a range of other factors -- many of which have legal and cultural underpinnings -- have exacerbated the problem.
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Is property cheap in Japan?

Japan is one of the best, underrated places in the world to own a vacation home for a few reasons: it's incredibly cheap to buy a house; property taxes are low; and maybe most important: it's such a lovely place to spend your vacation time!
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Why is Japanese house so cold?

Why are Japanese homes so cold in winter? Japanese homes are cold in winter because they are built for summer. Japanese summers are very warm and humid, leaving no escape from the heat. Aside from that, mold and mildew are big problems in Japan, causing respiratory and health problems in severe cases.
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How do Japanese keep house warm?

For warmth, people huddled around an indoor hearth called an irori, or warmed themselves with a hibachi. They also put the hibachi under a table, surrounded it with a large quilt, and tucked their legs inside - an arrangement called a kotatsu.
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Why is it so cold in Japan?

Some areas are colder because Siberian winds blow in from the Sea of Japan. On the other hand, the south-western areas of Honshu tend to experience milder winters. Therefore, major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto tend to have winters with average temperatures ranging from 4 – 5°C (39.2 – 41.0°F).
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Can you own a car in Japan?

Can I own a vehicle in Japan? Yes, you are allowed to own a vehicle in Japan. Your contracting organization cannot keep you from buying or using a car if you so desire, even to drive to work. They can restrict you from using it to drive between places of work, however.
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Why are there no brick houses in America?

The shift away from structural brick began after World War II. Mid-century consumers wanted suburban homes that looked distinct from their urban counterparts and newer building codes no longer required brick. That, meant less demand for both the material and the masons needed to install it.
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Is buying a house in Japan worth it?

Advantages to buying:

With Japan's low interest rates and relatively high property yields, your mortgage repayments will typically be less than the rent you would pay for the same apartment, even when you add in property taxes and monthly maintenance.
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Why Japanese homes are better than American homes?

For many Americans it would seem impossible to live in such small houses, but the Japanese, from ancient times to the present day, have gotten used to living in small spaces. Also, the traditional architecture they have developed, offers them elegant and smart space-saving solutions that can be applied even today.
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Why are apartments so small in Japan?

In general, Japanese apartments are significantly smaller than those in the U.S. Why? Because Japan is a much smaller country, and much more crowded (depending on where you live)… there's physically just less space for building.
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Are there mansions in Japan?

The most common forms of housing in Japan are mansions and apāto. A mansion (マンション) is typically a concrete apartment/condominium complex of three or more floors. Buildings with at least five floors usually have elevators, and more modern buildings often have a main entrance with auto-lock doors.
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Why does Japan have paper walls?

They prevent people from seeing through, but brighten up rooms by allowing light to pass. As paper is porous, shōji also help airflow and reduce humidity. In modern Japanese-style houses they are often set in doors between panes of glass.
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How do Japanese survive winter?

10 Tips for Surviving the Winter in Japan
  1. Invest in an electric kettle.
  2. Take a long soak in the bath. ...
  3. Layout the electric carpet. ...
  4. Bring out the kotatsu (Japanese heated table) ...
  5. Invite friends over for nabe (hot-pot) dinner. ...
  6. Invest in a good pair of socks and slippers. ...
  7. Double up with thick curtains and seal your windows. ...
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How do Japanese survive cold weather?

Winter In Japan: 10 Must-Know Tips To Survive The Cold
  1. Heat packs. These tiny packets of heat packs are a godsend for winter days in Japan. ...
  2. Down jacket. For anyone living in a tropical country, wearing a down jacket is something we could never do. ...
  3. Fleece-lined leggings. ...
  4. Sweaters. ...
  5. Heat tech. ...
  6. Winter boots. ...
  7. Warm socks. ...
  8. Gloves.
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Do Japanese children go to school 7 days a week?

Public schools in Japan have classes five days a week, from Monday to Friday. There are also schools that have classes on Saturday. In junior high and high schools, there are six class periods each day, typically lasting 50 minutes for each.
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What is a good salary in Japan?

The Japanese Salary Range. The average monthly salary for employees in Japan can range from approximately 130,000 JPY (1,128 USD) to 2,300,000 JPY (19,963 USD). Note: The upper range of salaries is the highest average and not the maximum salary Japanese people earn.
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Do Japanese houses have AC?

Most Japanese households do have air conditioning — about 90%, the same as the US — but it's used slightly differently. The most popular model in Japan is a “mini split” system of separate, ceiling-mounted units that are individually controlled.
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Is Japan selling abandoned homes for free?

Ever wanted to uproot your life and start anew? Japan is currently selling their abandoned houses for as little as US$500 or even free of charge to lure in new residents. If you've ever dreamt of living in Japan, the Japanese government is now making it easier to turn your dreams into reality.
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Are there free houses in Japan?

A small number of rural municipalities do offer free houses, but they come with strict conditions attached. One condition could be that you agree to live in the town for a certain number of years before you obtain the title to your house. The preference for those is young (Japanese) families.
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Can a foreigner buy a house in Japan?

There are no restrictions on foreigners buying land or property in the country, and no citizenship or resident visa is required. That said, without a work visa or permanent resident status, obtaining a loan can be difficult. Foreign buyers typically opt to pay cash for this reason.
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