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Texas zoning isn't nearly as permissive as Japan's. Setbacks are a big added requirement. Minimum parking requirements too though that is changing.

But it would not be legal to build japanese neighbourhoods in Texas.

Texas zoning is only “permissive” relative to other states. Relative to Japan it’s quite restrictive.

I bet you'd see natural market driven concentration around rail stations in Texas too, if they had a useful rail network.

Dallas-Area Rapid Transit (DART) member cities all had to develop 25-year plans for denser development around station sites as a condition of their membership, if that’s what you mean by “natural”.

You might be surprised, look at Dallas. They have a pretty extensive rail network.

Dallas does not have permissive zoning, even in comparison to a city like Seattle.