This article presents the urban and regional development program proposed in order to solve the social and spatial problems derived from the japanese rapid and continuous economic development process. The program is aimed at reaching a more rational population location, a better land use and an increase in housing standards at stock. According to the author, the results of such policies in Japan have been not only optimum, but impressive. Even if the article is in such a different context as Japan is from Latin America, the fact that the author is a Chilean is a guarantee that the lessons obtainable are of great interest in this context, view that is shared by professor Ortúzar.