The 29th R&R Reform & Renewal Architectural Regeneration Expo 2025
The Architectural Regeneration Exhibition Organizing Committee, whose secretariat is housed at Tetsuado Publishing Co., Ltd., held the 29th R&R Reform & Renewal Architectural Regeneration Exhibition 2025 for three days—Tuesday, December 9; Wednesday, December 10; and Thursday, December 11—at East Hall 8 of Tokyo Big Sight.
During the exhibition period, 40 companies and organizations set up display booths (117 booth units). According to the secretariat’s preliminary results report, the total number of registered visitors over the three days was 5,782.
[Introduction to the main exhibition booths]
LIXIL Renewal Co., Ltd.
Through actual product displays and hands-on demonstrations, the company showcases how much “noise, heat, and cold” can be reduced by window and entrance-door renovations, as well as how strong security glass really is.
Reno Hapier Co., Ltd.
At its exhibition booth, the company presented: (1) “Bell Base” (Belltech Co., Ltd.), a one-stop installation service covering solar panels, mounting racks, and rooftop waterproofing; and (2) the latest rooftop waterproofing method, the “Gum Cool FRAT Method” (Tajima Roofing Co., Ltd.).
Japan Engineering Co., Ltd.
A comprehensive processed-piping manufacturer. The company introduced the “Heart Method” (an extended vent pipe system) and other solutions that address “neglected drainage vent pipes,” a topic highlighted in seminars hosted by the All Building Center.
All Building Center
The All Building Center accepts inquiries on plumbing and drainage system renovations through its Plumbing Renovation Consultation Office (Director: Shoichi Kimura).
YKK AP Co., Ltd.
In response to energy-saving (insulation) needs amid rising power consumption and electricity costs—and also as part of disaster evacuation preparedness—the YKK AP booth offered comparative, hands-on exhibits demonstrating window insulation performance and the earthquake resistance of doors.
All Building Center
The All Building Center accepts consultations on window and entrance-door renovations through its Entrance Door & Sash Renovation Consultation Office (Director: Takahiro Minowa).
Chirón Matex Co., Ltd.
At its exhibition booth, the company introduced a new series featuring: (1) “Haisuicarat HK,” a flooring material designed for fast drying; and (2) “Takistep HW,” a matching stair flooring product developed to coordinate with it.
Proceedings of the 78th Online Seminar for Condominium Management Associations (Part 1)

We present a summary transcript of the 78th Online Seminar for Condominium Management Associations, which the National Building Survey & Diagnostic Center (General Incorporated Association) began streaming on December 21. In this issue, we record Part 1, “Legal Issues Concerning Condominiums and Dementia,” delivered by attorney Yukihiro Yamamura.
The video is available on Vimeo and YouTube at the URL below.
//zenken-center.com/78sm
I will explain, from a lawyer’s perspective, the topic “Condominiums and the Legal Issues of Dementia: Legal Preparedness and Responses for Residents and Management Associations.”
The wave of aging and the “2025 Problem”
In 2025, all eight million people of the so-called baby-boom generation will be 75 or older—that is, they will enter the category of “late-stage elderly.” The “2025 Problem” refers to the wide-ranging impacts that arise as a rapidly aging society takes hold.
In addition, the number of elderly people with dementia is estimated to reach about 3.2 million, and a rapid increase is expected going forward.
Symptoms of dementia can not only lead directly to serious damage-claim cases, but also pose a risk of disrupting other residents’ peaceful daily lives.
Case 1: Water leaks and fire risk
I am currently handling a real, ongoing case in which an elderly resident left the tap running, causing water leakage damage to the unit below, and the downstairs resident has filed a lawsuit.
With respect to fires, the Act on Liability for Fire Caused by Negligence provides that even if a person causes damage to others by a negligently caused fire, they do not bear liability for damages unless there was gross negligence. However, it is important to note that liability may arise where gross negligence is found.
Possible responses include regular inspections of water fixtures and confirming the shutoff valve, as well as purchasing insurance such as personal liability insurance (covering damage caused to others) and insurance with a “neighboring fire damage” compensation rider.
Case 2: Problems caused by wandering
For example, an elderly person may wander and enter someone else’s privately owned unit, contaminate common areas, or damage doors. There is also the risk of traffic accidents, such as being struck by a car while wandering.
Possible responses include establishing a monitoring/support system led by unit owners, preparing an emergency contact network, and coordinating with families and Community General Support Centers.
Community General Support Centers are staffed by professionals such as public health nurses, social workers, and chief care managers, and they primarily handle comprehensive consultation/support, care-management support, rights protection against abuse, and ongoing comprehensive care-management assistance.
Case 3: Sanitation and environmental issues
Examples include ignoring garbage-disposal rules, causing noise problems, and a unit becoming a “trash house” (severe hoarding).
In such situations, foul odors, pests, and increased fire risk can result, ultimately undermining neighbors’ peaceful living environment.
Responses include corrective guidance based on the management bylaws/rules, and close coordination with administrative agencies and welfare services.
Do people with dementia have “capacity for responsibility”? (Civil Code Article 713)
I have discussed the possibility of an elderly person bearing liability for damages, but I would like to explain Civil Code Article 713, which addresses liability where a person lacks capacity for responsibility.
Article 713 provides that if a person lacks capacity for responsibility due to dementia or similar conditions, damages generally cannot be claimed from that person. However, depending on the court’s assessment, there are situations—such as mild or fluctuating (“patchy”) dementia—where responsibility may still be found.
Also, if the person is deemed to lack capacity for responsibility, a direct claim for damages against that person may not be possible. In that case, the issue becomes the supervisory responsibility of a “person under a duty to supervise,” such as a spouse or cohabiting family members.
The risk that compensation cannot be obtained through “family responsibility”
Let me introduce the JR Tokai case, in which a family’s supervisory responsibility became an issue.
In this case, a 91-year-old man with dementia wandered out late at night, collided with a train, and died. JR Tokai sought approximately 7 million yen in damages from the man’s wife and eldest son.
The court set out a standard under which a person may be held responsible as one equivalent to a statutory supervisor only where, in light of the personal relationship with the person lacking capacity and the level of day-to-day contact, there are special circumstances indicating that the person undertook a duty to supervise that goes beyond mere de facto care, including strict supervision aimed at preventing harm to third parties. Applying this standard, the court found no such special circumstances for either the wife (who lived with the man and was herself in a state requiring elderly care) or the son (who lived separately), and therefore did not recognize family liability.
There are other cases as well in which courts have denied family responsibility absent special circumstances. Overall, courts appear to place weight on avoiding excessive burdens on families.
Because of this trend in case law, condominium management practic

講師 弁護士・山村行弘氏
(一般社団法人全国建物調査診断センター 協力弁護士)






The 78th Condominium/Homeowners Association Online Seminar — Transcript (Part 2)

How Should Condominium Management Associations Address the Issue of Dementia?
Lecturer: Mr. Shigeyuki Sato, Senior Director of Zenken Center (Certified Condominium Manager)
1.The Reality of Aging Among Condominium Residents
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Comprehensive Survey on Condominiums, the share of household heads in their 60s and those aged 70 and over is increasing, while the share of those aged 40 and under is declining.
Furthermore, the older the year of completion, the higher the proportion of residents aged 70 and over. In condominiums built in 1984 or earlier, the proportion of residents aged 70 and over is 55.9%.
Looking at the “occurrence of problems,” older condominiums tend to have a higher rate of delinquencies in management fees and related payments. In terms of “future concerns regarding the operation of management associations,” the most common concern is the “aging of unit owners” at 57.6%, followed by the “aging of residents” at 46.1% and the “shortfall in repair reserve funds” at 39.6%.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare provides a clear explanation of dementia, which I would like to cite below:
In Japan, as the population continues to age, the number of people diagnosed with dementia is also increasing. An estimate from a survey conducted in FY2022 (Reiwa 4) targeting older adults aged 65 and over indicates that approximately 12% have dementia, and approximately 16% have mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is considered a pre-stage of dementia. Taken together, this means that one in three people has symptoms related to cognitive function.
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In other words, this should not be regarded as someone else’s problem, but as one’s own. I would like to emphasize that condominium management associations, too, should begin with raising awareness and changing mindsets, and that we have reached a time when some form of initiative is necessary.
2.Case Study
The following is a partially excerpted quotation from presentation materials delivered by Nice Community Co., Ltd. on October 23, 2019, titled “Current Status and Issues Surrounding the Customer Service Response to ‘Dementia’ at Condominium Management Companies,” compiled by the Japan Dementia Public-Private Council / Dementia Barrier-Free Working Group / Condominium Management Association Initiatives.
The following is a partially excerpted quotation from presentation materials delivered by Nice Community Co., Ltd. on October 23, 2019, titled “Current Status and Issues Surrounding the Customer Service Response to ‘Dementia’ at Condominium Management Companies,” compiled by the Japan Dementia Public-Private Council / Dementia Barrier-Free Working Group / Condominium Management Association Initiatives.
An elderly woman from the ○th floor is sometimes found sitting down in the entrance area. She appears to have gone out without her key and is unable to open the auto-lock door (reported by another resident). When spoken to, she says, “The day-service staff are supposed to come pick me up, but they haven’t come,” yet it is before 6:00 a.m. Is this wandering?
A family member with dementia went out and has not returned, so the family wants to check the footage from the condominium’s security cameras.
An elderly person with dementia living alone left home after lighting incense on the family altar; it ignited a floor cushion. The alarm sounded, and the fire was contained as a small smoldering incident.
Forgot the combination code to unlock the cluster mailbox.
“Someone came saying they were here for an ‘inspection,’ so I let them in” (risk of unnecessary door-to-door sales contracts or theft).
Insists, “My relatives are taking things without permission,” and will not be persuaded otherwise.
“I lost my key, so I want to replace the lock.” Due to mistaken belief, the lock ends up being replaced repeatedly without necessity.
Was banging on the door of a unit that was not their own, shouting, “Open up!” and acting violently.
An elderly man in the neighboring unit barges in yelling, “You’re too noisy!” (with no apparent cause).
Garbage is being put out in violation of the rules, and a witness reports that it was put out by a resident with dementia.
Management fees and other payments fall into arrears; when contacted, the person本人 or their family informs the association that the resident has dementia.
In a condominium where board members are chosen by rotation, when their turn comes, a resident states they cannot accept the role because they are showing signs of dementia.
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In my own experience, at a site where a major renovation project was underway, there was an incident that escalated into a police matter after a report of a burglary.
The claim was that “the construction personnel seem suspicious,” and I was questioned as well. However, the account given by the elderly person who said they were victimized gradually became inconsistent.
Specifically, they said that condolence money collected at Mr. so-and-so’s funeral—kept in a cupboard—had all gone missing. But when the family arrived, it became clear that no such condolence money had been kept there in the first place.
At the time, as the person responsible for overseeing the worksite, I had to submit a full roster of all workers and respond to questioning, and it became a major commotion—an experience I remember all too well.
3.What should a condominium homeowners’ association (management association) be working on?
(1) First, learn the facts about dementia correctly
The point is: don’t judge dementia based on hearsay, prejudice, or preconceived notions—such as thinking that people with dementia “can’t do anything,” are “pitiful,” or are “a nuisance who causes trouble.”
There are various types of dementia. According to a report by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 67.6% of cases overall, vascular dementia 19.5%, and dementia with Lewy bodies 4.3%.
Although dementia with Lewy bodies is less common, it can involve visual hallucinations or auditory hallucinations. From the outside, it may look as though the person is behaving in a highly abnormal way, but for the person themselves it can feel very real—for example, they may actually “see” someone there or “hear” voices.
It can differ from Alzheimer’s dementia. That is why, I believe, correctly understanding it in the first place is important.
(2) Maintain an up-to-date resident registry
To prepare for emergencies, the association should maintain a roster of the people actually living in the building—such as the head of household and other cohabitants—along with their contact information. This also matters because some people may not be able to state their own name or unit number. In that sense, the association needs to know in advance, as an organization, “who exactly this is.”
It is necessary to organize a contact list for residents (including emergency contacts) and ensure that it can be checked at any time.
It is also necessary to keep an updated version available—reflecting new contact details, new emergency contacts, and newly moved-in residents.
(3) Understand government and municipal initiatives
In January 2024, the Basic Act on Dementia (the Basic Act on Dementia to Promote the Realization of an Inclusive Society) came into force, and the national government has been advancing dementia-related policies.
After compiling the Basic Plan, municipalities—being the primary local governments—will develop on-the-ground support systems, such as medical and long-term care services.
What a management association can do, and how far it should go, is a difficult question—especially in balancing action with privacy protection. However, society already has frameworks and systems in place, starting with this Basic Act.
Therefore, it becomes extremely important to realistically understand what kinds of support programs and service menus are available in your local area.
(4) Understand the limits of what you can do
It is also extremely important to understand the limits of what a management association can do.
In advance, you should decide how far the association will be involved—what it will do and what it will not do—and formalize those decisions as rules.
In other words: “Up to here, the association will act. Beyond this point, it will not.” And what happens beyond that point? You rely on the community, administrative agencies, long-term care/welfare organizations, medical institutions, and so on.
In short, I want to emphasize that the association should coordinate with society as a whole, and must not try to shoulder the problem alone.
If a dementia-related issue arises in your association, the goal is not to panic, and above all not to do what must never be done—for example, excluding someone. Instead, you should think about how people can live together, clarify what the association can do and up to what point, and remember that there are methods beyond simply speaking with family members—such as coordination with public agencies and other organizations.
With that, I will conclude my remarks.
Interview: Mr. Tsunenari Yoshiba, President, TSUKUROI Co., Ltd.
As the construction industry faces a severe labor shortage and an aging workforce, TSUKUROI Co., Ltd.—a Zenken Center member contractor specializing in large-scale condominium renovation projects (Head Office: Tokyo; President: Tsunenari Yoshiba)—has recently won the top honor, the Grand Prize, in the FY Reiwa 7 (FY2025) Tokyo SME Skills and Human Resources Development Awards (Governor’s Award). We asked President Yoshiba about the company’s initiatives for developing its workforce and improving employee treatment and working conditions.
Devoted to employee training and talent development—aiming to “level out” (stabilize) on-site operations
Technology Spotlight: Next-Generation Drainpipe Renewal — “TT-SL Tornado Method

Tokyo Tornado Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President: Masayoshi Tsurutani), which specializes in rehabilitation work for condominium drainage and water-supply pipes, has been building a strong track record in the condominium market with its patented technique, the “TT-SL Tornado Method” (authorized by the Building Maintenance Center). This method restores drainage pipes to a like-new condition without replacing them.
The “TT-SL Tornado Method” works by shaving off sludge and rust inside the drainage pipe using a special jig that rotates at high speed, and then applying an epoxy resin coating to return the pipe to its original condition.
If drainage pipes are replaced, it becomes necessary to remove floors, walls, and ceilings. That typically requires a four- to five-day process, and the noise and dust during that period can disrupt residents’ daily lives. By contrast, the “TT-SL Tornado Method” can be completed in a single day (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), allowing residents to return to normal life by evening.
Because the cost is also about one-third of a full replacement project, demand for this method is increasing in drainage-pipe renovation work.
SETP00
Inspection & Assessment (Before Work)
We inspect the condition of the drainage pipes and confirm that there are no issues that would affect the work.
SETP01
Pre-Work Preparation
We submit the work plan and required application documents, and carry out resident briefings and any necessary preliminary work.
SETP02
Preparation Work
We notify residents that drainage use will be prohibited during the work. To prevent damage or soiling, we protect the work area with protective sheeting. We set up the equipment, remove drainage fixtures, and disconnect the vent pipes.
SETP03
Grinding / Surface Preparation
Starting from the top floor and working down to the first floor, we perform grinding. Using the negative pressure of a high-powered vacuum unit, we remove rust and scale inside the drainage pipes with a special jig rotating at high speed.
After further smoothing the surface with an abrasive, we inspect the grinding quality, check for leaks, and confirm the level of dryness.
SETP04
Lining Process
Primary Coating Formation
We apply a coating material to slow the progression of corrosion and to improve adhesion with the secondary coating.
Secondary Coating Formation
We line the pipe with a durable finishing material offering excellent heat resistance, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance. To ensure an even inner surface, we insert a dedicated lining tool.
SETP05
Drying Process
To cure the coating, we allow it to dry naturally, or in some cases use forced drying.
SETP06
Coating Film Inspection
We inspect and confirm the lining condition (including any missed areas). At a later date, with the client in attendance, we measure the coating hardness and film thickness.
SETP07
Restoration & Water-Flow Reinstatement
We restore the piping and drainage fixtures, then lift the drainage-use restriction.
SETP08
Final Inspection
With the client in attendance, we carry out the inspection, including a drainage test to confirm there are no leaks.
Unauthorized Viewing of Security Camera Footage: Defendant Employee’s Conduct Constitutes a Tort


Case Overview
This is a case involving a redevelopment-type condominium built in 1987 (Showa 62), where the Residential Section and the Retail/Facilities Section were in conflict. In order to confirm who had attended a Residential Section meeting concerning the appointment of directors, two secretariat employees viewed footage from the management association office’s surveillance cameras without obtaining the consent of the unit owners in the Residential Section. Five members of the Residential Section committee sought damages from those two employees on the grounds of tort liability for infringement of portrait rights and related rights.
While the general common areas were managed and operated by the management association, the Facilities Section separately handled management-related duties for facilities common areas, and the Residential Section handled management-related duties for residential common areas. At the time, the defendant secretariat employees were employed by the Facilities Section.
The condominium had surveillance cameras installed at 48 locations, and security companies contracted separately by the Facilities Section and the Residential Section monitored the feeds via monitors in the central control room.
The defendants asked an employee of the security company to allow them to view footage from the time of the Residential Section meeting without authorization from the unit owners of the Residential Section, and, having viewed the footage, they were sued by the five Residential Section committee members for damages in tort.
【Viewing Authorization for Surveillance Footage】
There are no rules or bylaws in this condominium concerning surveillance cameras.
A few years ago, there was an incident in which a security guard, at the request of a unit owner, printed out surveillance footage and handed it over. Since then, the practice has been that anyone wishing to view the footage must fill out a “Crime-Prevention VTR Viewing Application Form” and obtain the chairman’s approval before viewing it.
【Osaka District Court’s Ruling】
[Comment]
Although the defendant is said to be an administrative office staff member employed by the Facilities Subcommittee, the Standard Condominium Management Outsourcing Contract (revised and published in September 2023) has tightened the handling of personal information even further.
Previously, there had already been a provision under the heading “Confidentiality Obligation” that prohibited the disclosure of any secrets of the management association and its members learned in the course of management 업무. However, the heading has been revised to “Duty of Confidentiality,” and a new rule has been added prohibiting use for any purpose other than the intended one.
The condominium in this case may be a special example, given the confrontation between the Residential Subcommittee and the Retail/Facilities Subcommittee. Even so, it is desirable—even in ordinary condominiums—to establish operational rules (e.g., in detailed bylaws) specifying who may view surveillance camera footage, when, and for what reasons.
New Book Introduction / Essential Guide to Dementia-Friendly Condominiums: Understanding Older Adults and Communicating Through Multi-Professional Collaboration

At the Zenken Center seminar, Attorney Yamamura and Mr. Sato, Executive Director of the Zenken Center, delivered lectures on the theme of dementia-related measures in response to the rapidly approaching era of an aging condominium population.
As the number of residents with dementia increases, we have entered a time in which management associations must seriously consider how to address this issue and how to create a condominium environment that is also friendly to residents living with dementia.
This book introduces real-life cases and provides practical hints on what responses are appropriate.
[Reference] Commentary related to Article 32 of the Standard Condominium Management Bylaws
(10) In cases where signs of dementia—such as wandering—are observed in a unit owner or other resident in a condominium, and it is recognized that the situation may hinder the communal life of unit owners/residents or the management of common areas, it is desirable for the management association to contact the person’s emergency contact if it is known. If no emergency contact is known, or if contacting the emergency contact does not improve the situation, it is advisable to consult a Community General Support Center (Regional Comprehensive Support Center), etc.
Essential Guide to Dementia-Friendly Condominiums: Understanding Older Adults and Communication from the Perspective of Multi-Professional Collaboration
First edition published: August 1, 2019
Supervised by: Japan Decision-Making Support Promotion Organization (General Incorporated Association)
Format: B5 size, 88 pages
Price: ¥1,760 (tax included)
Publisher: Creates Kamogawa Co., Ltd.
ISBN: 978-4-86342-264-3
Rinku
//www.creates-k.co.jp/genre/ninchisho/1473/
Goals for 2026 Protect my own assets and take an active interest in how our condominium is managed. Be willing to support and cooperate with residents who work hard to manage the condominium responsibly.

When we look back on 2025, one topic stood out in Japan’s condominium world: serious concerns about how large renovation projects are being awarded.
In March, our magazine ran a front-page story titled, “Industry Shock: The JFTC Inspects 20 Major Renovation Contractors.” The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC)—Japan’s competition watchdog—suspected that some companies may have coordinated bids in ways that violate Japan’s Antimonopoly Act. Since then, media reports say the investigation has widened to more than 30 firms, and may also involve property management companies and design consultants.
Authorities are expected to issue administrative penalties in the spring. These may include orders to stop the conduct immediately and financial surcharges that can be as high as 10% of the relevant sales.
But bid-rigging was not the only issue. Another scandal that drew major public attention was what the media called “impersonation.”
Here’s what that means in this context: instead of influencing a project from the outside, a contractor (or someone connected to a contractor) allegedly pretended to be a resident and joined a condominium’s renovation committee—the group that discusses and helps decide how renovation work is planned and who gets hired.
In March of the previous year, at a condominium complex in Chiba with more than 800 units, an impersonator was discovered. A construction company bought an apartment unit, and the company president joined the renovation committee. He was suspected of steering discussions so that a particular design consultant would be selected. Another committee member challenged him—essentially, “Who exactly are you?”—and the person’s connection to an impersonation group was exposed.
Then, in May, at a large condominium in Kanagawa, media reports said the president of a construction company posed as a resident, took the lead in the renovation committee, and was arrested after the deception was uncovered and he tried to flee. The homeowners’ association filed complaints on suspicion of interference with business by deception and attempted fraud, and the investigation is reportedly ongoing.
What links both bid-rigging and impersonation? One word: kickbacks.
In a typical bid-rigging scenario, contracts are rotated or pre-arranged under the influence of a management company or a design consultant. In exchange, kickbacks are paid somewhere along the chain.
In the impersonation scenario, the alleged logic is similar: infiltrate the decision-making process by pretending to be a resident, guide the project so it goes to a particular consultant or prime contractor, and then receive benefits in return—often by securing work as a subcontractor.
These cases only became public because someone inside the renovation committee felt something was wrong and spoke up. That raises a troubling question: in condominiums where most residents are disengaged, how often could similar manipulation happen without anyone noticing? If a homeowners’ association is unaware, it may keep paying into the repair reserve fund without realizing that the system is being exploited.
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Even after repeated scandals, many residents still think, “That’s not our problem.” They assume someone else will handle condominium management, or that everything is safe because a professional management company is involved.
But can any of us truly feel comfortable leaving the protection of our personal assets entirely to others?
If residents remain disengaged, the outcome is predictable: sooner or later, the repair reserve fund contributions will be raised. And if money has been diverted through unfair practices, the shortage will ultimately be covered by ordinary households.
That should not be acceptable. To prevent it, we must protect our own assets, take an interest in how our condominiums are managed, and—if we cannot do the work ourselves—support the residents who are actively trying to manage things properly.
In 2026, we hope more people will adopt that mindset, even if only a little.
Zenken Center and the Large-Scale Renovation Works Newspaper will continue to provide information to help residents who want to protect their communities and their assets.
Editorial Board, Zenken Center / Large-Scale Renovation Works Newspaper (January 2, 2026)
“Condominium AI” Tips for Use (5) Let’s consult “Condominium AI” and try asking “Condominium AI”!
Try consulting “Mansion AI”!
At present, Zenken Center’s “Mansion AI” has received questions from many condominium board members and association members, and there are real-world examples of Mansion AI providing answers.
In this column, we introduce practical cases from the past few months showing how condominium associations have been using “Mansion AI.”
Supervised by: Naruyuki Sato, Lead Director, Zenken Center
Q “Is a 30-year long-term repair plan the best option?”
A According to the “Guidelines for Preparing Long-term Repair Plans” issued by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), it is recommended that the planning period for a long-term repair plan be at least 30 years and long enough to include two major renovation cycles. This timeframe is set as necessary to ensure appropriate maintenance and management of condominium buildings.
[Reasons]
Addressing building deterioration cycles
It is necessary to prepare the plan in line with the deterioration cycles of major repair items, such as exterior wall repairs, rooftop waterproofing, and replacement of water supply and drainage pipes. Since these repairs are typically required every 10 to 15 years, a 30-year timeframe is well suited to include two major renovation cycles.
Ensuring a planned approach to reserve funds
By establishing a long-term plan, a repair reserve fund can be set in a systematic way, enabling required repairs to be carried out without placing an excessive financial burden on residents.
Responding to changes in the economic environment
Because costs such as material prices and labor expenses can rise, it is considered desirable to review and update the plan periodically in order to adapt to changing economic conditions.
summary
A 30-year timeframe is regarded as realistic and appropriate, taking into account building deterioration cycles and the need for planned management of the repair reserve fund. However, because the plan may need to be adjusted depending on a condominium’s structure and location, it is important to develop it while seeking advice from qualified professionals.
The History of Humans and Parasites

In ancient Egypt, people had no concept of germs or parasites. They probably ate fish caught from the Nile raw, and it’s said that even the mummies of prominent citizens were riddled with parasites. You might think, “Well, that’s ancient Egypt—ages ago.” But even in Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu reportedly had a parasite suddenly pop out of his mouth while he was talking to someone. That story suggests how thoroughly infested people’s bodies were—regardless of whether they were rulers or commoners.
That said, those of us born around the middle of the Shōwa era already had deworming medicine, so we were probably the last generation to treat parasites as a public enemy. Even so, when I was in the lower grades of elementary school, we had what was called a “pinworm test.” We were told to put a stool sample into a matchbox and bring it to school. I imagine the girls hated that. Of course, that kind of procedure only lasted through the early grades; later it was simplified, and by the upper grades it had become the type where you simply pressed a piece of tape to your backside—at least, that’s how I remember it.
Most of my teachers back then were born before the war, so in terms of parasites they didn’t seem all that far removed from Ieyasu’s time. I still remember one teacher—born in the Taishō era—talking about something called a tapeworm. You sit on the toilet, and there’s something like a flat ribbon sticking out. That, he said, is a tapeworm. If you hold a pair of chopsticks to it, it curls around them, and you can slowly, slowly wind it up. It comes out in quite a mass. But if you lose patience and yank or reel it in too quickly, it snaps—right there—and then it never comes out again… or so he said.
Why did that story come back to me? The other day, by chance, I watched a video where someone dipped the rear end of a praying mantis into water. Out came something like a straight, sharp mechanical-pencil lead. I thought, “Is this that trendy CGI?”—but it wasn’t. The explanation said, “This is a parasitic worm called a hairworm.” When you immerse a mantis’s anus in water, the hairworm tries to lay eggs and emerges from inside the host. Naturally, it was longer than the mantis itself—over 20 centimeters. It doesn’t parasitize humans, apparently, but there it was, writhing on the palm of someone’s hand—hardly a pleasant sight.
In the old days, people spread human waste as fertilizer, so parasite eggs could cling to crops. That’s why—unlike today—hardly anyone ate vegetables raw. Times have completely changed, though, and now I hear that some fashion models intentionally swallow parasite eggs. The idea is that the parasite “takes” some of the nutrition, so you can eat your fill without worrying about restricting your diet—and when you’re done with it, you just take a dewormer and expel it from your body. Times really do change… and in some directions, you can only stare.
(Novelist: Heitarō Ikeda)
New release by Heitarō Ikeda, The Queen’s Jitte Bearer, now on sale on Amazon—to great acclaim!
“Interesting Column” provided by: omosiro-column.com





















































































