This book presents an international comparison of legal responses to the
issue of vacant housing in Japan, the USA, France and Germany. While
vacant housing is a shared problem in these four countries, the origin
and context of the problem, as well as the focus of legal responses,
differ considerably. Presenting the outcomes of an international
symposium, this book explores different legal approaches (private/public
law, federal/national/municipal governments,
demolition/expropriation/requisition/planning) taken in the respective
jurisdictions. It is highly recommended to readers whose work involves
practical issues concerning vacant housing and who are interested in
theoretical aspects of property law, building law and administrative
law. The book also includes a chapter exploring the implications of the
"tragedy of the commons/anticommons" for contemporary land use issues in
Japan such as landscape protection, area management and unclaimed land.