Japan's hot spring towns could be hit hard by new building safety regulations

Wataya Besso Ureshino Saga
The Wataya Besso Ryokan in Ureshino, Saga Prefecture. The 12-storey tower to the right will be demolished as earthquake-retrofitting costs prove too expensive.

Since November 2013, large-scale buildings, such as hotels and hospitals, built to the old earthquake-resistant building codes (called ‘kyu-taishin’) are obligated to carry out building inspections to determine their level of earthquake-resistance. 

Inspections must be carried out by the end of 2015, after which the results will be made public.

Owners and operators of hot-spring resorts and inns are worried that these requirements could spell the end for their businesses. Towns in these onsen areas that rely on the tourist trade are also worried that this could have a direct impact on their local economy.Read more

by Zoe Ward