While I'm totally in favor of what you're saying - it could be that the article means greater Tokyo and not just the central part of Tokyo (to bring the comparison similar to the Bay Area one), which would amount to more like 39 million population - it's a much much much larger city than the San Francisco Bay Area.
But I would believe the number if they really do just mean central Tokyo housing starts, that seems like a reasonable number. And that would make it potentially even more embarrassing for SF.
But I would believe the number if they really do just mean central Tokyo housing starts, that seems like a reasonable number. And that would make it potentially even more embarrassing for SF.