Just because you own something doesn't mean you get a free pass to be a nuisance to others. Laws are there to keep society together, not to enable antisocial proclivities.
Japan doesn't have issues with nuisances because -- culturally -- they're more aware of the effect their actions have on the world around them. The same cannot be said for a large portion of the U.S.A.
I'm of the opinion freedom as a detached goal for its own sake is a puerile pursuit, and a big driver of why we can't have nice things.
My gut assumption, not having Japanese knowledge, was always that the production needs of WWII incentivized their mixed commercial -residential system.
It does seem that a mixed commercial -residential system would work better with a conscientious of neighbors society, but the zoning itself is also key
I was happy he had identified our fundamental disagreement so that we didn't have to argue further.
Everyone's a libertarian until you take away the fruits of industry.
I'd much sooner live with that coworker in the steppes than cheerman mao or other charlatans in Asian history proclaiming about the common good.