It brings me no joy to say this.

Taiwan's numbers looks good on paper (until you dig further), but the reality on the pavement, or lackthereof, is dire. The noise, air, visual pollution are as bad as it was from 30 years ago, maybe worse. Traffic is bad, and salary to cost of living is extreme.

Japan's numbers look bad. But its quality of life is one of the best in the world.

Has there been progress in infrastructure/housing in Taiwan? Sure, in small areas, such as new housing developments, where all the capital sits, extracting rent or sitting empty, contributing nothing.

We need to do better, raise our standards. Otherwise we're going to get left behind even further.