Is Japan's retail sector truly distinctive?

Based on statistical analysis of data for 17 countries, Japan's ubiquity of retail stores is largely predicted by its relatively small dwellings, geographic concentration, and high number of commercial vehicles relative to private ones, controlling for the effects of population density. All are factors that economic theory associates with density of retail outlets. This evidence refutes the widespread view that Japan's structure of retail trade is determined by cultural, historical, and regulatory factors unique to Japan