As many as 14 million people live in 6 million apartments across Japan. In Tokyo's central 3 wards, over 50% of the residents live in apartments. Of those 6 million apartments nationwide, 1 million are in buildings over 30 years old. In 10 years from now, a third of all apartments will be over 30 years old.

The main issue facing ageing buildings is maintenance and large-scale repairs. 

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