After the amended “Building Standards Act” went into effect, the architectural confirmation process became backlogged, leading to a large decrease in the number of architectural confirmations; therefore, in light of this, the operation of architectural confirmation procedures was improved on two occasions including speeding up the architectural confirmation review and simplifying the application documentation.

Also, regarding the future of the architectural standards system, the Council for Social Infrastructure was consulted in August 2012 and deliberations are under way by the Architectural Standards Group established in September 2012 under the Council’s Architecture Subcommittee. Of this, regarding the scheme for promoting the seismic resistance of housing and buildings, the first findings were compiled in February 2013 and based on this the “Bill for Partial Amendments to the Act for Promotion of Renovation for Earthquake-Resistant Structures of Buildings” was submitted to the 183rd ordinary Diet session.

For measures concerning architects, in accordance with the amended “Act on Architects and Building Engineers,” initiatives are being taken toward the course material and encouraging completion for the periodic training made mandatory for registered architects.

Furthermore, in order to ensure defect guarantee liability, “The Act for Execution of Defect Warranty Liability under HQAA” was executed in October 2009. This Act obligates new housing builders and realtors to deposit foundations or complete defect warranty insurance. In order to operate this Act smoothly, MLIT is developing a reception system for insurance corporations, and is carrying out seminars and distributing pamphlets for builders, realtors and consumers to popularize this Act in all prefectures.

## (2) Ensuring the Safety of Elevators and Amusement Machines

In response to the elevator fatality accident that occurred in October 2012 in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, the Elevator Accident Investigation Group of the Council for Social Infrastructure conducted a study to shed light on the cause of the accident and in February 2013, put together the “Ishikawa Prefecture Open Door Running Accident Investigation Interim Report” to shed light on elevator and amusement machine accidents and deliberate measures to prevent reoccurrences. Additionally, local government and regional development bureau officials were given training to conduct accident investigations of elevators and amusement machines for the development of staff.

## Section 4 Strengthening Safety Measures in the Transport Sector

Ensuring safety is a central and fundamental issue in the transport sector and once an accident occurs not only can it cause significant damages but also has an enormous impact on society so various measures are being undertaken to prevent accidents from occurring.

## 1 Establishing and Improving the Safety Management System of Public Transportation

The “Transport Safety Management System,” instituted when public transportation accidents and troubles due to human errors began to occur frequently, makes it mandatory for the transportation organization to create and submit a “safety management policy” as well as elect and register the “general safety manager” in addition to top management taking an active leadership role to guide the frontline to work

Graphic II-7-4-1 Illustration of Implementing a Transport Safety Management Evaluation

Source) MLIT