The challenge of affordable living in Tokyo
Overview of the housing market in Tokyo, 2009 video.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz
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Transcript
NARRATOR: Tokyo, the Japanese capital - millions of people live shoulder to shoulder in this densely populated city. Architects are seeking creative living solutions as shortage of space remains an acute problem here.
PAUL TANGE: "We have done, actually, these two buildings that you see. And then behind there is a smaller building. There's three city blocks. We have designed a new metropolitan government headquarters, a new city hall of Tokyo. Oh, there is more. Please don't embarass me. But we try to utilize the space as much as possible. No, we live in a two-bedroom apartment."
NARRATOR: A local flea market on the outskirts of Tokyo - this is a residential area for the well-to-do. Even some multimillionaires reside here. But even people who have managed to amass such wealth have to accumulate a nest egg. A house in Tokyo costs a fortune.
JOICHI ITO: "You need to make several million dollars to buy a house. And if you wanted to buy a house it would be $3-4 million at minimum. Most people will spend $10 million, $15 million on a house."
NARRATOR: Those who can afford a membership at the best golf club in the city live in a different sphere to others. Like Shu Ueyama, he is a PR expert and a jet-setter. Money isn't really an issue for him. He even had his house flown in from half way across the world.
SHU UEYAMA: "I went to Boston one day. I gave a speech there and I saw all these houses in Martha's Vineyard. And I thought 'This is it,' you know? And I paid for it. Brand new, actually, and they bring in everything and then they build here. So it's really nice."
NARRATOR: Housing experts don't see the market relaxing anytime soon. Tokyo will continue to grow and remain one of the most expensive places in the world to live.
PAUL TANGE: "We have done, actually, these two buildings that you see. And then behind there is a smaller building. There's three city blocks. We have designed a new metropolitan government headquarters, a new city hall of Tokyo. Oh, there is more. Please don't embarass me. But we try to utilize the space as much as possible. No, we live in a two-bedroom apartment."
NARRATOR: A local flea market on the outskirts of Tokyo - this is a residential area for the well-to-do. Even some multimillionaires reside here. But even people who have managed to amass such wealth have to accumulate a nest egg. A house in Tokyo costs a fortune.
JOICHI ITO: "You need to make several million dollars to buy a house. And if you wanted to buy a house it would be $3-4 million at minimum. Most people will spend $10 million, $15 million on a house."
NARRATOR: Those who can afford a membership at the best golf club in the city live in a different sphere to others. Like Shu Ueyama, he is a PR expert and a jet-setter. Money isn't really an issue for him. He even had his house flown in from half way across the world.
SHU UEYAMA: "I went to Boston one day. I gave a speech there and I saw all these houses in Martha's Vineyard. And I thought 'This is it,' you know? And I paid for it. Brand new, actually, and they bring in everything and then they build here. So it's really nice."
NARRATOR: Housing experts don't see the market relaxing anytime soon. Tokyo will continue to grow and remain one of the most expensive places in the world to live.