On the contrary, I deem the original Japanese culture to have been as perfect in its own way as that of the ancient Greeks, exemplifying as it did the finest and most fastidious taste in matters of detail. So I say there is no reason whatever why the Japanese style of architecture, as seen both in the temples and private dwellings, should not be adapted to the needs of modern Japan. It is simply a question of substituting more lasting materials for those now used in the majority of Japanese style structures. Comfort could be considered as well art, for there is nothing fundamentally irreconcilable between the two. As this is an earthquake country, the buildings should not be higher than three or four storeys, and the principal material employed in construction should undoubtedly be reinforced concrete which would offer the most successful resistance to earthquakes.
Steel frames are dangerous.
Experience in the San Francisco disaster showed that while the steel framework would undoubtedly remain standing, everything on it would be shaken off, and the floors inside would collapse, so that the danger to the inmates was as great as if the entire building had fallen down.