Japan’s Micro Apartment Boom

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Japan is famous for its minimalist and downsized architecture even though the country has not always been so densely populated. With not enough space in the cities and low budgets for renting or owning a house, many Japanese have chosen to live in these tiny and cramped apartments. Even so, Japanese have created some clever design elements that allow the micro apartment to be a very functional and cozy home.

Watch the video and see what is so special about these micro apartments in Japan:

Discussion Questions:

  1. What brought about the rise in tiny living spaces?
  2. What do you think about micro apartments?
  3. How would you feel living in this tiny apartment?
  4. What do you think are the good things about micro apartments? What are the disadvantages of living in these small apartments?
  5. What are apartments like in your country?
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2 replies on “Japan’s Micro Apartment Boom”

What brought about the rise in tiny living spaces?
I think that it’s all about supply and demand, there are more and more demand to live in urban areas but the supply of space is the same so it causes the proliferation of smaller and more expensive apartments.

What do you think about micro apartments?
There should be a regulation about the minimum size of apartments. Would you imagine living in a 200 square feet apartment(which is 18 square meters) during the pandemic lockdown? I think for a temporary solution or for a holiday it could be practical, but not for a permanent residence.

How would you feel living in this tiny apartment?
I cannot imagine myself living in a 200 square feet apartment(which is 18 square meters) during the pandemic lockdown. I would feel a little claustrophobic if I had to live there.

What do you think are the good things about micro apartments? What are the disadvantages of living in these small apartments?
The greatest advantage regarding micro apartments is that there are usually at the city centre due to lack of space to build larger apartments, also it’s great how these apartments are designed to take advantage of every corner to make it for storing practical stuff, these apartments are really efficient in this purpose. On the other hand, it’s obvious that the most noticeable disadvantage relies on its size, it could be overwhelming at times.

What are apartments like in your country?
Usually, the average size of a standard apartment in the city center is about 600 square feet, which is equivalent to 55 square meters. This size is ideal for a couple or for a small family. However, if you focus away from the city center, apartments become bigger in size.

Well done writing your responses for this lesson’s discussion questions.

This is good sentence but also consider phrasing it this way:

I think that it’s all about supply and demand, there are more and more demand to live in urban areas but the supply of space is the same so it causes the proliferation of smaller and more expensive apartments.

I think that it’s all about supply and demand. There are more and more demand for living in urban areas but the supply of space is the same so it causes the proliferation of smaller and more expensive apartments.

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