false2

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Construction inspection firms are funded by constructors

Akahata has found that 11 out of the 40 private firms that undertake inspections of buildings are funded by construction companies, building material makers, and utility companies, raising concerns about the credibility of structural soundness reports because of conflicting interests.

Akahata conducted the survey as part of its research on an architect's falsification of quake-resistance data of ferro-concrete buildings.

In 2004, the government office conducted about 330,000 inspections, while government-commissioned private firms conducted 420,000 inspections.

In 1998, the law was revised to allow the government to commission private companies to inspect buildings. The Construction Ministry at that time issued a circular allowing construction-related firms to have up to two-thirds ownership of inspections firms.

The Japanese Communist Party at the time pointed out that allowing inspections to be carried out by private firms will compromise impartiality and comprehensiveness.

Arai Keiichi, a licensed architect in Tokyo, commented, "The commission system involves the danger that inspections, which should be conducted impartially by a third party, may be influenced by the demands of funding companies. It is necessary to establish a system that guarantees impartial and accurate inspections."
- Akahata, November 25, 2005