Amidst a declining population, which has become particularly evident in regional communities, the Japanese government is considering plans to encourage the re-use of closed schools and empty buildings in the countryside.
Under the Building Standards Act, changing the use of a building may require that building to meet certain construction standards, such as fireproofing. The proposed plan would be to make some requirements unnecessary if the building meets basic safety levels.
Empty school buildings and shopping malls lined with shuttered stores are becoming a common sight in Japan’s regional areas. To convert an old property into a hotel/inn or a restaurant, considerable expense may be required.
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