I imagine Japan’s “view” on housing is downstream of macroeconomic conditions like deflation and population decline. Ie, houses don’t appreciate much in price therefore people dont look at them like investments, not the other way around.
In support of this is China, where there are similar cultural views about “used” homes being undesirable. Yet (to this point) prices have appreciated and they have used them as investment vehicles.
To put it another way, would Japanese homes really depreciate with rapid population and economic growth? There is just no way.
From what I hear this attitude is centuries old, far predating demographic decline. Traditionally Japanese homes had paper walls and were expected to be damaged by their frequent earth quakes. Fires were also frequent. They were not expected to last.
I believe Tokyo requires demolition after a certain amount of time or ownership change right? Not entirely sure, and Ive also seen some info that suggest real estate has appreciated in Tokyo lately.
Point being maybe its demographics and regulation, with a cultural attitude that jives with it and even explains the regulation to demolish, but not attitude being operative.
What we have in the US is far from optimal. In many 'hot' markets during the recent runup in prices, houses were "making" more money in a year than the median household earned. That's a recipe for a whole host of problems.
In support of this is China, where there are similar cultural views about “used” homes being undesirable. Yet (to this point) prices have appreciated and they have used them as investment vehicles.
To put it another way, would Japanese homes really depreciate with rapid population and economic growth? There is just no way.