Website of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Overview of Building Energy Efficiency Act, Q&A etc.
Ministerial Ordinance/Public Notice of MLIT etc.

Website of the Institute for Building Environment and Energy Conservation (IBEC)
Guidebook for approval of performance improvement plans/verification labelingsystem of the Building Energy Efficiency Act

Website of the Building Research Institute
Program for residential buildings
Program for non-residential buildings

Schedule

Incentive measures: April 1, 2016
Announcement of Basic Policy
Mandatory efforts of construction clients/owners etc.,
and business operators in selling and leasing of building
Approval system for performance improvement plans(exception of floor-area ratio regulation)
Labeling system

Regulatory measures: scheduled for April 2017
Mandatory compliance/evaluation of compliance
Notification system
Minister-approval system for special structures/equipment
Housing Top-Runner Program
Notification for repairs, remodeling, installation of equipment
and regular report system based on Energy Saving Act to beabolished

Supervised by: MLIT
Issued by: Institute for Building Environment and Energy Conservation (IBEC)
Issued in April 2016 (2nd edition)

Overview of the Act on theImprovement of Energy
Consumption Performanceof Buildings(Building Energy Efficiency Act)

The Building Energy
Efficiency Act
shall be gradually
implementedApril1, 2016beginning in

The demand for energy in Japan has become increasingly tight against supply since the Great East
Japan earthquake. As consumption drops in other sectors (industry and transportation), the amount ofenergy consumption in the building sector has markedly increased. Therefore the Building Energy
Efficiency Act was promulgated on July of 2015 in order to strengthen energy efficiency measures onbuilding.

What is the Building Energy Efficiency Act?
Act on the Improvement of Energy Consumption Performance of Buildings (Building Energy Efficiency Act) was newly
established in July 8, 2015. This Act provides for 1) regulatory measures for mandatory compliance with energy efficiency
standards for large-scale non-residential buildings, and 2) incentive measures such as a labeling system displaying compliance with energy efficiency standards and exception of floor-area ratio regulation for certified building.

What Buildings are Target of this Act?
Targets of Regulatory Measures: New construction/extensions/renovations onbuildings at or over a certain size
When construction clients attempt to undertake new construction/extensions/renovations on buildings at or over a certain
size, they must acquire certification of conformity with energy efficiency standards or notify the administrative agency withjurisdiction depending on the use and size, etc. of the building.
After the implementation of the regulatory measures, large-scale non-residential building that is not compliant with energy
efficiency standards become ineligible for certification of Building Standards Law.

Non-residential 2,000m2 or larger (planned)
Energy efficiency standards

Overview of the Act on the Improvement of Energy Consumption Performance of Buildings

Evaluation forcompliance

CompliantExtensions/renovations

Mandatory compliance with energy
efficiency standards・
Mandatory certification

Scheduled

April2017

for

Newly
established1,2016

April

Incentive Measures (Voluntary)

Newly
established

Performance Improvement
Planning Certification System /exception of floor-area ratio regulation

Non-residential buildings over
2,000m2 or more (planned)

Portion that exceeds
normal building floor
space for equipment
necessary to improveenergy efficiency
performance

Mandatory compliance/evaluationfor compliance of newlyconstructed building energy
efficiency performance standards(energy efficiency standards)

Not calculated(Certificate by administrative agencies)

Notifications

Buildings 300m2 or more (planned)

Mandatory notification toadministrative agencies withjurisdiction of plan for new
construction/extension/renovations

Labeling System for Energy
Efficiency

Newlyestablished

Buildings of 300m2or more (planned)New
constructions

Extension/renovations

Residential

Non-residential

Instructions/orders issued when deemed necessary withoutcompliance with standards.

Display of building energy
efficiency performancebased on Article 7 of Act

Housing Top-Runner Program

Others (Establishment of Minister-approval system etc. to evaluate new technology)

Administrative
agencieswith
jurisdiction

Notification

Construction
begins(up to 21 days
before construction
begins)Targets of incentive measures are all new construction of buildings, or extensions, renovations, improvements, remodelling, pre-installation/repairs of cooling system equipment that contribute to the improvement of energy conservation performance. When plans for such are compliant with certification standards, the plans may receive certification (certification forthe performance improvement plan) from the administrative agency with jurisdiction in the construction area. By acquiringcertification for the performance improvement plan, construction clients are eligible to receive benefits, such as exceptionof floor-area ratio regulation (the portion the exceeds the normal floor space of a building for equipment meant to improveenergy efficiency performance is not calculated [upper limit of 10%]).
All buildings

Labeling of approval ofcompliance with energy
efficiency standards(Verification by anadministrative agencies)

Use ofbuilding
beginsCertification(inspection)

Construction
beginsTargets of Incentive Measures: All buildingsNew
construction

Remodelling

Non-residentialCertification(energyefficiencystandards)

Certification(buildingstandards)(inspection also for energy
efficiency standards)

Improvements

ResidentialFinalinspection

New
construction

The incentive measures are implemented from April 1, 2016, and the regulatory measures shall be implemented within twoyears (scheduled for April 2017) of the promulgation of the Act.

Regulatory Measures (Mandatory)

Building
confirmation

Pre-existing

Extensions/Renovations

Application forcertification ofperformance
improvement plan

Installation/
repairs on coolingsystem equipment

Certification
Administrative agency
with jurisdiction

Application forcertification ofcompliancewith standards

Exception of floor-arearatio regulation

Certification
Administrative agency
with jurisdiction

Display of certification ofconformity with standards

Additionally, pre-existing buildings can receive certification of conformity with energy efficiency standards from the administrative agency with jurisdiction in their area.
Buildings being newly constructed can receive certification after their construction is complete.
Receiving certification allows the legally-sanctioned Compliance Label (e mark) to be attached to the advertisements andcontracts of the building in question.

What are the Standards for the Building Energy Efficiency Act?
Overview of the Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential Buildings
The evaluation of energy efficiency performance for residential buildings uses the following two standards:- Standards to evaluate envelope performance, such as with the windows and exterior walls of residential buildings- Standards to evaluate the primary energy consumption amount of equipment and appliances etc.

Overview of the Standards for Non-residential Buildings
The evaluation of energy efficiency performance for non-residential buildings uses the following two standards:- Standards to evaluate for envelope performance (PAL ), such as with the windows and exterior walls of non-residentialbuildings- Standards to evaluate the primary energy consumption amount of equipment and OA devices etc.

Conception of Envelope Performance (PAL ) and Primary Energy Consumption AmountPV

Conception of Envelope Performance and Primary Energy Consumption AmountVentilation system

Lighting system

Air-conditioning system

Ceiling

Photovoltaic (PV)Ventilation system

Ceiling

Air-conditioning system

WindowElevator

WindowExteriorwall

ExteriorwallPerimeter zone

Lighting system
Hot water supply
Floor

Hot water supply
Heating/cooling system

Envelope performance

Primary energy consumption amount

Average outer shell heat transmission coefficientheating/cooling system primary energy consumption amountAmount of total heat loss per unit of temperature difference
Total surface area of exterior

ventilation system primary energy consumption amountlighting system primary energy consumption amount
hot water supply primary energy consumption amount

Average solar heat gain coefficient during cooling period
Amount of total solar heat gain per unit
ofsolar radiation intensityTotal surface area of exterior

The benefits ofinsulating a building

other (household appliances) primary energy consumption amountreduction amount of primary energy consumption throughPV, etc

primary energy consumption amount

By taking measures to insulate the exterior walls andwindows etc. of a building, it not only improvesenergy efficiency performance, but it can also
improve the thermal environment inside the building,which can maintain and promote the health of theoccupants, and contribute to the improvement of theworking environment inside.

Envelope Performance (PAL )Primary energy consumption amount

Annual thermal load coefficient of perimeter zone

air-conditioning system primary energy consumption amountannual thermal load of perimeter zone of each floor (MJ/year)

ventilation system primary energy consumption amount

total floor space of perimeter zone (m2)lighting system primary energy consumption amount

Yearly sum of heating load and cooling load throughthe thermal energy given in through below

hot water supply primary energy consumption amountelevator primary energy consumption amount

Temperature difference of perimeter zone with outside airother (OA apparatus) primary energy consumption amountSolar radiation from exterior walls and windows etc.

reduction amount of primary energy consumption throughPV and cogeneration system

Heat occurring in perimeter zone
Heat of intake outside air based on outside air intake amount anddifference of temperature/humidity perimeter zone air and intake outside air

primary energy consumption amount

What is the perimeter zone?
This is the inside space that is within 5 horizontal meters of the centerline of the wall of each floor
in contact with the outside air, the inside space of the floor directly below the roof, and the insidespace that is directly above the floor in contact with the outside air.

What is the Labeling System for Energy Efficiency?

Three Standards Stipulate Different Energy Efficiency Levels
The standards apply in the Building Energy Efficiency Act are three-fold: energy consumption performancestandards (energy efficiency standards), certification standards, and residential construction client standards. Thereare 2 verification methods of these standards: a detailed calculation method and an abbreviated calculation method.

There are two types of labeling systems: Labeling to display energy efficiency performance for buildings (Article 7), andlabeling to display compliance with Energy Efficiency Standards (Article 36).

Energy Efficiency Standards
Mandatory Compliance/Evaluation of Compliance with Energy Efficiency Standards

Notification

Non-residential buildings
Primary energy consumption amount

Envelope performance

Design value (excludes OA devices etc.)
Standard value (excludes OA devices etc.)

Exempt from application

Residential buildings
Primary energy consumption amountPrimary energy
consumption
amountNon-residential

Standard value (excludes home appliances etc.)
Standard valueStandard value

Design value

Residential(excludes OA devices etc.)

Non-residential Design valueStandard value(excludes OA devices etc.)

Residential(excludes home appliances etc.)

Envelope performance

Certification Standards

Design value (excludes home appliances etc.)

Design value
Design value

Envelope performance
Complexes

Display of Certification of Conformity with Standards

Non-residential

Exempt from application

Residential

Design value
Design valueStandard value(excludes home appliances etc.)

Displaying Energy Efficiency of a Building based on Article 7 of the Act
Owners can emphasize the energy efficiency performance as being at
or higher than standards during new construction of residential andnon-residential buildings (office buildings etc.).
Reduction rate of design primaryenergy consumption amount fromstandard primary energy consumption amount.

Name of building

Illustration showing relation amongstandard primary energy consumption amount, and design primaryenergy consumption amount.

Verification date
Distinguish between third-party-verification or self-evaluation
Third party verification isverification performed by anadministrative agency withjurisdiction or a registered energy
efficiency certification institution.

Compliance with primary energy
consumption amount standards

Name of certification institution

Compliance with exterior standards

Only with self-evaluation

Standard valueStandard value
The primary energy consumption amountsofthroughare calculated using acalculation method from the standards ofMinisterial ordinance etc. (excludes home
appliances/OA devices etc.)

Certification of Performance Improvement Plans/Exception of Floor-Area Ratio Regulation

Non-residential
Primary energy consumption amount

Design value (excludes OA devices etc.)
Standard value (excludes OA devices etc.)

Design value

Exterior

Standard value

Residential
Primary energy consumption amount
Design value
Design value

Exterior

Complexes
Primary energy
consumption
amountNon-residential

Design value (excludes OA devices etc.)
Standard value (excludes OA devices etc.)

Standard valueStandard value
Design value

Residential(excludes OA devices etc.)

Non-residential Standard value

Residential(excludes OA devices etc.)

Design value(excludes home appliances etc.)

Standard value(excludes home appliances etc.)

Compliance with Energy Efficiency Standards is required for both non-residential and residential buildings

Non-residential

ExteriorResidential

Design value

Non-residential/
complex buildings

Example of third-party verification

Approval of Compliance with Energy
Efficiency Standards/Labeling System
based on Article 36 of the Act
Owners can emphasize the compliance of an existing residential
or non-residential building to energy efficiency standards during
renovations etc.

Standard value
Design value
Design value[Matters to be Displayed]Standard valueStandard value

Name of Building
Location of Building

Residential Construction Client Standards (tentative)
Up to 2019
Primary energy
consumption amount

Design value(excludes home appliances etc.)

Standard value

From 2020

Exterior

Exempt from application

Design value

Primary energy
consumption amount(excludes home appliances etc.)

Exterior

Housing Top-Runner Program(excludes home appliances etc.)

Standard value(excludes home appliances etc.)

Design value
Design valueStandard valueStandard value

Certification Number
Date of Certification
Certification Administrative Agency
Applicable Standards

Label verifying compliance with standards (e mark)