Demolition and Renovation Work of Buildings

From October 2023, a qualification will be required for asbestos pre-investigation during the demolition and renovation of buildings.

Starting from October 1, 2023, for construction work involving the demolition of buildings, it will be mandatory to conduct a pre-investigation for asbestos by qualified personnel. This requirement applies not only to demolition work but also to renovation work such as remodeling and repairs, as well as installation, removal, and repair of building equipment.

Persons who can conduct preliminary surveys (necessary qualifications)

1. Persons who have completed the training for investigators of building materials containing asbestos

• Investigator of Asbestos-Containing Materials in Specific Buildings
• Investigator of Asbestos-Containing Building Materials in General Buildings
• Investigator of Asbestos-Containing Building Materials for Detached Houses (Limited to the interior of residential units in detached houses and apartment buildings)

2. Those who were registered with the Japan Asbestos Survey and Diagnosis Association before September 30, 2023, and are still registered at the time of conducting the preliminary survey.

To obtain a qualification

To obtain the necessary qualifications for the preliminary survey, it is required to take and complete the "Surveyor Training for Asbestos-Containing Building Materials" conducted by a registered training organization. Please check the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's website for registered training organizations that hold the training. If you have any questions about the training, please contact the registered training organization directly.

• Asbestos Comprehensive Information Portal Site (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare) (External Link)

As of April 2022, the reporting of asbestos preliminary survey results has become mandatory.

Contractors carrying out demolition or renovation work on buildings, etc., are required under the Air Pollution Control Act from an environmental perspective to conduct a prior survey on the presence or absence of asbestos-containing building materials in the relevant work and report the results to the prefectural government or equivalent authorities.
Regarding health aspects, it is also necessary to report to the Labor Standards Inspection Office based on the Asbestos Hazard Prevention Regulations.
Reporting the results of the preliminary survey requires registration with gBizID and, in principle, must be done through the electronic system "Asbestos Preliminary Survey Results Reporting System" managed by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (effective from April 1, 2022).
You can access it online 24 hours a day from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, and with a single operation, you can report to both the prefecture and the Labor Standards Inspection Office, so please make use of it.

• Asbestos Preliminary Investigation Result Report System(External Link)
• Flyer on the Report of Preliminary Survey Results (PDF 139.4KB)

Report Target of Preliminary Survey Results

The report on the results of the preliminary investigation of asbestos applies to any of the following construction projects (starting on or after April 1, 2022), including renovations and demolition work of private homes.

Construction Subject to Reporting

• Construction work involving the demolition of buildings, where the total floor area subject to the work is 80 square meters or more
• Construction work that involves remodeling or repairing a building, where the total amount of the contract for such work is 1 million yen or more
• Construction work that involves the demolition, modification, or repair of structures (Ministry of the Environment Notification No. 77, October 7, 2020), where the total amount of the contract for such work is 1 million yen or more.

Note: Even for construction other than the above, it is necessary to conduct a preliminary survey and preserve the survey results during the demolition or renovation of buildings, etc.

Method of Reporting

Obtain Login Account

Registration with "gBizID" is required to use the electronic system.
Therefore, it is necessary to obtain a "gBizID" account as a preliminary step.

• gBizID(External link)

Notification (Air Pollution Control Act / Environmental Protection Ordinance)

When carrying out work such as demolition, remodeling, or repair of buildings where sprayed materials or insulation containing asbestos are used, it is necessary to submit the "Notification of Implementation of Specific Dust Emission Work" based on the Air Pollution Control Act.
In addition, if any of the following scale requirements apply, it is also necessary to submit the "Asbestos Dispersion Prevention Method Plan Notification" based on the Environmental Assurance Ordinance.

1. The area of asbestos-containing spray materials used is 15 square meters or more
2. Total floor area of buildings (for structures other than buildings, the constructed area) is 500 square meters or more

• Notification regarding specific dust emission work (Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Environment) (External link)

Method of Notification

The notification deadline is at least 14 days before starting the work.
The notification destination varies depending on the size of the building, etc.

Notification Destination

For buildings with a total floor area of 2,000 square meters or more, or in the case of structures

Tokyo Tama Environment Office Environment Improvement Section Air Quality Division
Postal Code 190-0022
4-6-3 Nishiki-cho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo
Phone: 042-523-0238

If the total floor area of the target building is less than 2,000 square meters

Inagi City Urban Environment Management Department Living Environment Division
Phone: 042-378-2111

Guidelines for Preventing Asbestos Dispersion in Inagi City

The city has established the Inagi City Asbestos Scattering Prevention Guidelines to ensure the health of citizens and a safe living environment when carrying out demolition or similar work on buildings where sprayed asbestos or asbestos-containing molded boards are used.
As a result, in addition to regulations and notifications under the Air Pollution Control Act, the Tokyo Metropolitan Ordinance to Ensure the Health and Safety of Residents, and the Asbestos Hazard Prevention Regulations, it is necessary to inform neighboring residents and notify the city.
When carrying out demolition or similar work on buildings or structures containing asbestos, please carefully read the guidance manual and, if necessary, notify neighboring residents and submit a report to the city.

• Guidelines for Preventing Asbestos Dispersion in Inagi City

Related Links

• Report on the Results of Asbestos Preliminary Investigation (Ministry of the Environment Website)(External Link)
• Tokyo Asbestos Information Site (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Website)(External Link)
• Asbestos Preliminary Investigation Result Report System(External Link)
• gBizID(External link)
• Manual for Thorough Measures to Prevent Asbestos Exposure and Asbestos Leakage Related to the Demolition of Buildings, etc. (Ministry of the Environment) (External Link)
• Manual for Asbestos (Asbestos) Dust Prevention Measures Related to Building Demolition, etc. (Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Bureau)(External Link)