This is not the first time Takashi Kawamura has raised the thorny subject. Above, Mr. Kawamura spoke at his campaign office in Nagoya on Feb. 6, 2011.

Home prices in Nanjing fell 0.6 per cent month on month in June, ending a 24-month streak when prices rose in the city. Prices again fell 1.1 per cent in July and 1.3 per cent in August, according ...