I am sure things like Japan and some of the domestic disasters hurt the numbers, but they are still horrible by all accounts.

I’m not a doom-and-gloomer though.In my opinion, we’re following a stag-flationary path similar to Japan, who owe over 200% of their GDP and have had essentially zero interest rates for 20 years.

Have you considered investing in Japan by the way?  

I work with foreign investors around the world who invest in properties in Japan for the purpose of cash flow, rather than capital gain.

The reason they have started negative interest rates in Japan and Europe, is to try and force all the guys holding the Money, to start building businesses and houses.

Look at Japan and how long they have had their low interest rates.

We have clients from Japan to the UK investing in markets all around the U.S. 

In Japan, where we work, housing company (eq. of HOA) collects funds in advance, since the building's first tenancy, in a huge fund that covers all building related expenses, maintenance, rehab/repairs etc, for ever and ever (theoretically) - so we'd go for the two old ones and that yummy cashflow without any worry.

So, all in all, unless there is a change political will to bypass lobbyists in decision making, it is hard to see change.Moving on to Hydrogen fuel cells for energy to drive cars and energy production is something Japan and Japanese automakers are pushing for.

the other place I know for a fact is Japan. talk about rentals that go for  a lifetime with not on miss payment.