logistics companies from the perspective of ensuring the smooth transport of relief supplies. In light of this lesson, the establishment of a logistics system that is resistant to disasters through the coordination of central government, local government, and logistics companies was evaluated and private logistics facilities that could be used as a base for supplies in the event of an earthquake were listed up (1,254 locations nationwide, as of February 29, 2016) and for applicable facilities, support was given to implement emergency power supply, communication, and other facilities to promote the establishment of a cooperative framework for coordination between the public and private sectors across the nation.

## Section 3

## Ensuring the Safety of Architecture

## (1) Securing Trust for the Production and Supply System for Housing and Buildings

After the amended Building Standards Law went into effect in 2007, the building confirmation process became backlogged, leading to a large decrease in the number of building confirmations; therefore, in light of this, the operation of building confirmation procedures was improved on two occasions in 2010 and 2011 to speed up the building confirmation review and simplify the application documentation among other improvements.

The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism inquired the Panel on Infrastructure Development about the ideal for future standards policies in August 2012, and review was proceeded on the items that were requested most for review by priority at the Building Standards Sub commission established at the Building Subcommittee of the same Panel in September of the same year. 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 revised Law for Partial Amendments to the Act for Promotion of Renovation for Earthquake-Resistant Structures of Buildings was enacted in November 2013.

Also, regarding the ideal standards regarding wood structures and ideal efficient and practically implementable confirmation inspection regulations the second report was compiled in February 2013. Accordingly, the Act to Partially Amend the Building Standards Act came into force in June 2015.

As measures pertaining to architects, initiatives to optimize operations to design and construction administration in accordance with the Act to Partially Amend the Kenchikushi Law, which came into force in June of the same year, have been undertaken.

Additionally, when defects are discovered in new houses the defect warranty will be reliably fulfilled so that consumers can purchase housing with peace of mind and in accordance with the Act on Assurance of Performance of Specified Housing Defect Warranty (Housing Defect Warranty Performance Act), requiring construction companies and real estate transaction agents to secure funds (house defect warranty security deposit or a valid housing defect warranty liability insurance contract), the insurance underwriting system of housing defect warranty liability insurance entities will continue to be improved and initiatives to raise awareness among consumers and other measures to publicize the system are being carried out.

Backed by key persons, a research committee for newly developing a housing defect warranty performance system was launched in FY 2015 as a fresh opportunity for engaging in ongoing studies for future reviews of this system. Issues to date have been subject to follow-up action and opinions have been exchanged for future reviews.

## (2) Ensuring the Safety of Elevators and Play Facilities

While surveys to elucidate the causes of accidents involving elevators, escalators, and play facilities and the training of the staff members of regional development bureaus in terms of safety and accident measures continue to be carried out, initiatives for ensuring safety have been advanced by partially revising the system of periodic inspections and publicizing guidelines for the appropriate maintenance and management of elevators and escalators in the Building Standards Act and relevant ordinances.