Examines the outstanding record of house building in Japan. Japan builds more houses, more quickly and is improving its housing stock much faster than Britain. Only 7% of its housing stock is publicly owned with about a quarter privately rented and two-thirds owner-occupied. Focuses on infrastructure issues such as population density and the post-war need to rebuild from scratch. Also looks at financial factors such as very low interest rates, 100% mortgages and massive infrastructure spending and considers innovation in house building techniques and the use of materials including the extensive market for complete off-site house manufacture. Concludes that unlike in Britain, in Japan there is a shared goal to produce land, loans and new types of housing to make it easy for the individual to commit to a new home. Table showing comparative Japan and UK housing starts 1997-2001.