Do you think those things won't contribute to a happy life? I love open space and affordable housing and I'd like to have more.

Sorry, but I can't tell what you're getting at. What do you suppose would be sarcastic? Your comment needs a lot more explanation.

Ah, I did not quite get your comment - you are saying that _once they get to 40M (instead of 127M), they will have all those things - it will take a long time, though. Right now, Japan is famous for having very little open space and sky-high real-estate prices (and rents) - that's why I thought you were sarcastic.

sky-high real-estate prices ? May be minority of places, but most of the real estate prices are cheap. Very Cheap.

May be what you are referring to is Tokyo. And even then its not even SKY high compared to San Fransisco or Hong Kong.

I think the parent was saying they are on their way down to a population where open space would be more abundant and spacious housing would be more affordable, but they aren't there yet with their current population.