The city that boomed most before the Great Recession – and then fell the furthest – believes it’s back in business.

The city that boomed most before the Great Recession – and then fell the furthest – believes it’s back in business.

Economic and social factors contribute to the decline and gentrification of Japan’s traditional day-labourer areas.
![Cheap lodging, Japan/[Joe Jackson/Al Jazeera]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/eb5423169f104ae68e4e2dab269ac2be_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Rugged border region between Panama and Colombia has no formal crossings, bringing an array of security challenges.

Keeping a promise to make his daughter a princess, American declares a kingdom in northeast Africa.

US-Mexico border cities coexist in a symbiotic relationship that benefits people on both sides.

Mohawk reservation is sliced down the middle along the US-Canada border, making life interesting – and difficult.
![Mohawk natives from the Akwesasne reservation face increasing difficulties while travelling [Heather Ainsworth]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/201517131129996734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Central American town prospers as a trading hub between Dominican Republic and Haiti despite a haunting past.
![The bustling Dajabon border crossing opens Dominican markets to Haitians [Joe Jackson/Al Jazeera]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/201412213122364580_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Some 160 teachers have been killed and many schools set ablaze in continuing ethnic violence.
