2026-08-15 · buy-side

Japanese, their living spaces, even their friendships are shrinking

The country's downsizing trend is especially acute among the young and in urban areas

Downsize and thrive: This Tokyoite lives in an apartment that has the space of three tatami mats, around 5 square meters. (Photo by Tokuyuki Matsubuchi)

TOKYO -- Let's take a look at Shohei Ohtani, who stands more than 1.9 meters tall, and Japanese volleyball players, some of whose physiques are nearly as large as their foreign rivals. The perception here is that Japanese people are getting taller and bigger.