From what I see from zoning reform advocates, many look at Japan as the solution, precisely because in most of japan, residential houses can go in most any zone

From what I see from zoning reform advocates, many look at Japan as the solution, precisely because in most of japan, residential houses can go in most any zone. Meaning, an old warehouse could be torn down and replaced with SFH without any change in zoning, but theoretically, a gas station or strip mall can be built right next to those same houses. You can replace an old warehouse in the USA with SFHs. The major difference is the area will have to be rezoned completely before construction starts and the public will get their chance to voice their opinions. This allows everyone to agree on what else may be built on this land before houses go up. Will it be mixed use? Residential only? Are multi-tenant buildings allowed? Then there's the big issue of who controls zoning? Should it be at the state or local level? Both have their positives and negatives.