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Laws Related to Real Estate Transactions in Japan

●Laws Concerning Construction of Buildings●

A variety of restrictions are imposed on construction of buildings by laws and other regulations for such purposes as ensuring that buildings are constructed appropriately in accordance with city planning and securing safety and other performances of buildings.

Building Standards Act (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

The Building Standards Act is a law aimed at securing safety, livability and other performances of buildings by stablishing minimum standards for construction of buildings. For example, the law provides specific purposes of use (residences, retail facilities, plants, etc.), building height, floor areas and other details for each “zoning” set forth in the City Planning Act. ​It also prescribes standards on securing safety of buildings, standards on fire prevention and evacuation, among other things.

Act on the Promotion of Popularization of Long-life Quality Housing (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

The law is aimed at suppressing the discharge of wastes from housing demolitions, etc. and reducing environmental burdens by facilitating a long-term use of housing, and at mitigating financial burdens of residents through a reduction of costs associated with building reconstruction, so that they can live a fuller and gentler life. As accreditation criteria for long-life quality housing, the law designates such performance items as countermeasures against deterioration, earthquake resistance, easiness of maintenance, management and replacement, versatility, barrier-freeness, energy saving, living environment, residential unit area and maintenance and management plans.

Act on the Promotion of the Low-Carbonization of Cities (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)

This law aims to promote realization of lower-carbon cities and contribute to sound development of cities, as cities are the source of a major portion of carbon dioxide that generates in association with social-economic and other activities. ​The law calls for establishment of basic policies regarding promotion of lower-carbon cities, preparation of plans by local municipalities to create low-carbon towns and special measures based on the plans, and implementation of measures to promote popularization of low-carbon buildings.