Tokyo also has zoning that generally works on an "up to" basis, rather than prescribing narrow categories. For example, an area zoned for light retail can conta

Tokyo also has zoning that generally works on an "up to" basis, rather than prescribing narrow categories. For example, an area zoned for light retail can contain small businesses, but can also contain anything in one of the "lesser" zones, like small apartment buildings or single homes. It's a simple way to let the market build to demand for housing, as well as for upper-story residences or mixed-use business space to be extremely common.