SANBU, Chiba Pref. - Homeowner Nagako Itoga lifted up a tatami mat to reveal a corner beam of her ¥32.5 Million house almost completely detached from the foundation. Then she pointed out the unsound roof supports, tilting hallways and floorboards so rotten the ground is visible below.
“I’m so angry with this atrocious construction, I considered lighting myself on fire with kerosene in front of the government building,” she said “But my daughter pointed out that it would be far better to stay alive and fight those responsible for this mess.”
In any country, the family house is the bedrock of emotional and financial security. But it has turned into an albatross for many here. It’s bad enough that deflation has eaten at land values over the last decade. Now, many thousands are finding that government policies and construction industry practices leave their houses worthless in as little as 15 years. >>>>
Home-buyers in Japan up against a stacked deck
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