Part 3/11:
Most of the destroyed homes—family-oriented houses built decades ago—are now sitting vacant or listed for sale, often fetched by foreign investors, primarily wealthy Chinese buyers. Many property owners, especially those with older homes built in earlier eras, find themselves unable to afford the costly and bureaucratic process to regain their properties. The costs are astronomical; one example details a foundation cost nearing three million dollars, involving deep drilling and sophisticated engineering to mitigate risks posed by the proximity to ocean and earthquake zones.