That NPR story also noted how in a culture where there is an expectation of tearing down buildings after one generation, there is not the cultural emphasis on repair and maintaining that we have in the United States. Here, you cannot drive in any suburban area without seeing multiple Home Depots, Lowes, etc. We all expect that we (or our kids) will sell our houses, so we invest in keeping them livable. In Japan, where you are just going to tear it down anyway, you just don't have the idea of home repair.
As for the story, I liked it. One of the most horrible people I personally knew worked in real estate speculation of this type--buy property, cut it up, tear things down, resell, profit. While there is nothing morally good or bad about such a job, I have a prejudice against it mainly because of this one jerk I knew who did it.
So, when the villain here was a speculator, it made perfect sense to me.
Being more objective about it, it does seem to be a bit of a cruel death for someone who's biggest sin is shady business dealings and crude manners.