Starting in Fall, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will issue certificates for free to buildings that satisfy current earthquake-resistance standards. The certificates will cover office buildings, apartments and houses and will be issued to all who apply.

The certificate can be displayed at the building entrance to put building occupants at ease. While self-governing bodies have been creating assistance measures, there are over 500,000 buildings in Tokyo that do not meet minimum earthquake-resistance levels. The city hopes that the introduction of the certificate will encourage owners of unsafe buildings to have them upgraded.

The certificates will apply to buildings that meet the shintaishin earthquake standards introduced in June, 1981, as well as buildings that meet the criterion set by the Seismic Retrofit Promotion Law. For new buildings that will be completed from now on, the certificates can also be issued at the same time as construction is completed. This has spurred activity with developers and apartment sales offices.

Source:
The Nikkei Shimbun, July 14, 2011.

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