[CountSessine]

Japan has a declining population. Residential real estate inevitably declines with this demographic trajectory.

The Kansai region has an increasing population and real estate prices are still in decline or stable.

Also Japan did not have a lot of nimby mentality blocking new housing, to my knowledge

Yes, they did - prior to 2001 when the national government took zoning authority away from municipalities.

[adam_arthur]

FRED shows housing prices in aggregate rising in Japan

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/QJPN628BIS

If a growing region is declining, I would expect building to be outpacing growth, or a cultural trend away from wanting to own (reduction in demand for purchasing despite growing population)

[arcticbull]

All that would mean is its a market where supply >= demand. The weights on the scale aren't as relevant, IMO.