Large-scale home downsizing still comprises a minority of remodeling jobs. But demand will likely increase from such people as couples in their 60s to 80s whose houses have too many rooms after their

Why don't they just move to a smaller house, like people in other countries do?

Why don't they just move to a smaller house, like people in other countries do?

Because their homes have fully depreciated, and aren't marketable?

I don't think so. All of the kids will only have an arubito and can't like on their own, so they'll never leave home.

@JeffLee Because, like my parents, this is the house in which they raised the family and so it has nostalgic/sentimental value. Also, they are friends with everyone in the area for like almost 40 years. My parents had the house remodeled by moving everything to the first floor so they don't have to walk up steps. That seems a good option. @Sensenotsocommon People will by for the land, and build their own house. They don't want the old house.

"Because their homes have fully depreciated, and aren't marketable?"

I used to believe that, until I checked listed prices of non-new detached homes in Tokyo. They aren't cheap, I can tell you. Indeed, the lots are eagerly sought by developers who aim to subdivide them.

"They are friends with everyone in the area for like almost 40 years."

My parents, too. After the kids left, they moved to a small bungalow...in the same area. And they earned piles of spending money from the sale of the bigger, more expensive home.