TOKYO -- Houses in Japan are getting smaller, with the average floor space falling to a 30-year low. Total area per house is about 92 square meters, a decline of 3 sq. meters from the peak year of 2003, according to the latest government survey, conducted in 2023.
One of the main reasons for the shrinkage is rising construction costs. Builders are designing smaller homes to hold sticker prices down and maintain their profit margins, which amounts to a "stealth price hike." Analysts warn that young people may hesitate to marry and have children if houses are too cramped.
