## ○ Spreading problems with asbestos

In June of 2005, asbestos-related health problems became a social issue as it came to be widely recognized that these problems affected not only the workers dealing with the substance but also many other citizens. MLIT is taking several measures to deal with these problems based on the “Comprehensive Countermeasures for Asbestos Problems”, put together by the Japanese government in December, 2005. Specifically, these are measures to prevent future harm, measures to ensure solid support for those with health problems, and measures to address the unease felt by the general public about this issue.

No. of Inspections	No. of Inspections Confirming the Use of Sprayed Asbestos or Similar Materials	Status on the Implementation of Measures
(1)	Railway Stations (passenger areas)	201 companies	20 stations	Measures to prevent dispersal have been completed in 15 stations. In the 5 stations with exposed sprayed asbestos or similar materials, the operator has confirmed that asbestos is not currently prone to be dispersed, and is working on removal and other measures to prevent dispersal, which are scheduled to be completed within FY2005.
(2)	Bus Terminals (passenger areas)	2,253 companies	4 bus terminals	Measures to prevent dispersal have been completed in 1 bus terminal. Plastic covering and other measures have been completed in the other 3 terminals, with removal work and other measures planned to be performed within FY2005.
(3)	Airport Terminals (passenger areas)	95 airports	2 airports	All measures to prevent dispersal have been completed.
(4)	Government Buildings	84,276 buildings	936 buildings	Measures to prevent dispersal (enclosure, etc.) have been completed in 325 buildings. While immediate harm from dispersal is seen as unlikely, measures to prevent dispersal will be performed on the remaining facilities (an adjusted budget for FY2005 will be appropriated for buildings under the jurisdiction of the Government Buildings Department requiring urgent response).
(5)	Public Housing	40,200 complexes (247,401 buildings)	228 complexes (809 buildings) *As well as 26 complexes that have had asbestos removed	Measures to prevent dispersal (enclosure, etc.) have been completed in 220 complexes. While immediate dispersal is seen as unlikely, measures to prevent dispersal will be appropriately and speedily performed on the remaining 8 complexes (of which, 4 have been started on at present, with measures for the remaining 4 scheduled for the future).
(6)	Private Buildings	254,689 buildings	13,099 buildings *As well as 3,250 buildings that have had asbestos removed	Promoting removal and other measures in coordination with local authorities. An adjusted budget for FY2005 will be appropriated to support removal and other measures for sprayed asbestos and similar materials in buildings used by many people. Residences will be supported through the existing system. The Building Standards Law will also be amended with regulations restricting the use of sprayed asbestos and similar materials in buildings (to be submitted at the opening of the 164th session of the Diet as a package bill, to be officially announced on February 10th, 2006).

Notes: 1. "Sprayed asbestos and/or similar materials" refers to sprayed asbestos and asbestos-containing sprayed rock wool.

2. MLIT plans to carry out follow-up surveys on the actual progress of measures to deal with asbestos in (1) through (6).

3. Out of the total 254,689 inspected buildings for (6), the number of inspections confirming the use of sprayed asbestos or similar materials was tabulated based on reports on 189,971 private buildings from the building owners or related parties.