These homes are packed with charm, full of history and quickly disappearing. Over the last 30 years, Alex Kerr has given 574 presentations on the cultural importance of Japan’s minka (traditional village homes). For the first 573, his audiences were filled with nothing but local bureaucrats skeptical about lifting a finger to preserve these striking properties. “They all had to be convinced that minka are not worthless but wonderful,” Kerr told the audience at the Minka Summit, the site of the noted Japanologist’s 574th such presentation. “The people who are coming to this conference are really doing (things with) minka. You don’t need to be convinced that minka are wonderful.”

Acquiring property in Japan presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities, especially for investors with commercial goals in mind, but the Japanese real estate market offers various strategies to suit different investment objectives.

In Katsuura, Chiba, Tyni, a hospitality start-up, is redefining sustainable tourism with its first mobile cabin. Set against lush greenery and pristine beaches, this repurposed 1980s company retreat offers urban couples a nature escape. Co-founder Mori Nishimura aims to connect travelers with Japan's serene landscapes and culture. Tyni is expanding, backed by funding and regional revitalization support.

Japan is bolstering its autonomous driving ambitions with a new project to be formally introduced Wednesday to expand the use of self-driving vehicles in more than 40 locations around the country by 2025. The “Road to the L4” project aims to popularize advanced mobility services including Level 4 autonomous driving, wherein vehicles can operate without a human at the wheel. It will include demonstrations of the technology to promote acceptance and understanding, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. One of the goals is to help revitalize communities.