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A comment on America could have $4 lunch bowls like Japan but for zoning laws. Parent comment

Re:America could have $4 lunch bowls like Japan but for zoni... by georgeburdell on Friday January 16, 2026 @11:01AM (#46647883)
It’s not that simple. My city in Silicon Valley foists mixed use on most new developments in the form of ground floor retail. Yet it’s often vacant.
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Re:America could have $4 lunch bowls like Japan but for zoni... by jerlam on Friday January 16, 2026 @12:19PM (#46648963)
They are both called mixed use, but are very different in terms of implementation.

In Japan, you can start and run your own business in your your own house (like your garage), within certain limits. This is why there are businesses in Japan like tiny cafes and shops that are nonviable anywhere else.

Where you and I live, the commercial section is a completely separate unit which is usually quite large, must be rented separately, and comes with a lot of regulations.

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