TOKYO -- As Japan's population shrinks, consolidating scattered residents into denser, more compact cities is increasingly seen as a must. Yet the steady outward creep of the suburbs continues unabated.
Economy
Japan keeps building suburbs even as population shrinks
Empty homes mushroom in urban areas, stalling plans for compact cities
The Tsukuba Express passes through Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture. Areas along the train line have logged population growth. (Photo by Nobuyoshi Shiota)
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