Two 1960s wooden houses opposite my old home in Suginami, one of Tokyo's western wards known for its quieter residential neighbourhoods, were suddenly deconstructed over the course of a week. Within about six months, a new apartment building had risen in their place.

The construction timeline was notably faster than conventional on-site building methods. The developer likely achieved this speed through process efficiencies, such as assembling prefabricated modules off-site, allowing different phases to progress simultaneously.

Beyond technological innovation, the project's efficient management and the construction team's discipline were evident. I watched as the workers arrived and departed punctually each day, completing their tasks with focus and precision. Their collaboration was smooth and carried out with minimal disruption to the surrounding neighbourhood.

The pre-construction phase in Japan can be extensive, encompassing the planning and permitting processes that precede site preparation and foundation work. Zoning regulations, safety standards, and community consultations often lengthen this stage, ensuring all necessary protocols are met before visible progress begins.

In the case of the apartment in my neighbourhood, there was likely a protracted consultation period before the old wooden houses were deconstructed. Site preparation and foundation work progressed steadily, but the building seemed to rise with astonishing speed once construction began. In Tokyo, this is common—structural work, particularly the final stages, moves rapidly, giving the impression that buildings have materialised almost overnight, seamlessly blending into the streetscape.