The article sheds light on the increasing number of abandoned malls in Japan's former commercial towns. Once bustling with commerce and activity, these malls are now empty and eerily quiet, a clear sign of economic downturn and shift in consumer behavior. The rise of e-commerce, compounded by a dwindling population, have been identified as the major culprits.

Japan's slow population growth and rapidly aging citizenry have contributed in large part to this phenomenon. Many young people are moving away from smaller towns to seek employment opportunities in larger urban areas, leaving behind commercial spaces that once thrived. This is seen as a somber symbol of economic stagnation, and the government faces challenges in addressing the economic and social implications.

In the US or EU, the decline of malls has also been seen due to online shopping and changing consumer behavior. However, it is more often supplemented by the growth of other businesses in the same space, such as fitness centers or clinics, preventing ghost towns from forming. The issues of dwindling population and urban migration however, are not as severe as in Japan.