Could It All Collapse? Architect Koen Klinkers on Earthquakes, Permits, and Japan's New Building Codes

Did you know? A majority of homeowners prefer their house doesn't collapse while they're inside of it! Earthquakes are a topic that permeates nearly every foreigner discussion around Japan—especially when it comes to purchasing an older akiya. So how safe is it? Japan-based Dutch architect Koen Klinkers walks through the key things to inspect and consider when buying a home in Japan, followed by a review of Japan's latest round of building safety codes: why it exists, what it means for home buyers, how it affects renovations, tips on permitting, and so much more. Check out Koen Klinkers at Front Office Tokyo: https://frontofficetokyo.com/ Read about Japan's new building codes here: https://www.adfwebmagazine.jp/en/architect/impact-of-japanese-building-code-revisions-from-april-2025-on-renovation/ 00:37 Introduction & Koen on the 2025 World Expo 03:04 The April 2025 Building Standard Law Revision 07:44 Permitting & the Japanese government's enforcement power 12:07 Bathrooms & moisture damage 13:09 Environmental restrictions 18:24 Are Pre-1981 homes safe to live in? 23:05 Are earthquake safety inspections necessary for akiya buyers? 24:57 Earthquake resistant materials: Drywall 27:39 The permitting process & tips on working with contractors & local government 32:29 How are updated codes announced and distributed? 33:48 Joey & Take's new build - wood vs. steel 35:11 Japanese housemakers - Customizations & how they work