> How do they do it? Maybe I'm naive, but it seems obvious: smaller plots, denser arrangements, and better zoning rules. Plus I'm pretty sure money isn't cheap

> How do they do it? Maybe I'm naive, but it seems obvious: smaller plots, denser arrangements, and better zoning rules. Plus I'm pretty sure money isn't cheap in Japan and land is primarily bought in cash. Still, in the US land/housing is pretty cheap... outside of the popular areas. I'm not saying this to say everyone should just move out of cities, but to show that it's not an American issue, but an urban American issue. Our current rules do not scale into urbanism.