Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Policy and Programs for Energy Efficient Houses and Buildings

Akiko ITODirector of Housing Production Division, Housing Bureau

December 13, 2013

0

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Transition of Final Energy Consumption and Energy Consumption in Buildings

●When we consider transition of final energy consumption, the commercial and residential sectors account for over 30% of final energy consumption in Japan. The graph on the left shows that these sectors have seen a more significant increase than the transportation and industrial sectors. Therefore, strengthened energy efficiency measures are called for mostly in the commercial and residential sectors. 

Commercial sector

Residential sector

58%

42%

Energy consumption in the commercial and residential sectors

Trends in final energy consumption 

1990‐2011

1.41times higher

1990‐2011

1.25times higher

（FY）

（PJ）

Industrial sector

Commercial and residential sectors

Transportation sector

50.3%

26.5%

23.2%

43.0%

33.8%

23.3%

1990‐20111.05

times higher

1990‐2011

1.33times higher

1990‐20110.89

times higher

（PJ）

（FY）

Total1990‐2011

1.05times higher

2

Comparison of Energy Consumption per Household in the World

The ratio of energy consumption for space heating is much smaller in Japan compared with European and North American countries where the ratio is very high, whereas the ratio of energy consumption for water heating and lighting / home appliances in energy consumption is higher in Japan. Climate and lifestyle differ greatly by country or region and, as a result, the situation of energy consumption differs. Thus, energy saving measures that suit their own country or region are needed. 

For example, when compared with Germany,• energy consumption for heating is one-fourth,• energy consumption for water heating and lighting

/home appliances is 50 percent to 100 percent greater.

10(23%)

43(70%)

44(69%)

41(55%)

40(40%)

15(34%)

7(11%)

7(11%)

18(24%)

20(20%)

3(7%)

2(3%)

4(6%)

2(3%)

15(34%)

10(16%)

10(15%)

14(18%)

30(30%)

1(2%)

8(10%)

44

61

64

75

99

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Japan (2008)

Germany (2007)

France (2007)

UK (2007)

US (2005)

Space Heating

Water heating Cooking Lighting/home appliances/

OthersCooling

Energy Consumption per Household (GJ/household, year)

Naha (southernmost region)

Thick insulation Long eaves to keep the sun out

Asahikawa  (northern most region)

Average Monthly Temperature in Japan and Germany

Source:  Weatherbase

Tokyo  Asahikawa  Aomori Naha

Berlin  Hamburg  Munich 

Jan.  Feb.  March  Apr.  May  June  July  Aug,  Sep. Oct.  Nov. Dec. 

Source: Sep. 2010 Report of Jyukankyo Research Institute Inc. (compiled based on statistical data of each country)

* Note:   Figures in parentheses are years of latest data of each county.Cooking of the US is included in lighting, home appliances and others.Households of two or more people excluding one‐person households in case of Japan. Cooking of Japan is for gas and LPG excluding space heating and water heating, and excluding power for cooking.Data of European countries does not include cooling.     

Lighting/home appliances

3

34 34 35

50

7074 85 87 85 83 85 88 85

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90

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1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

* Ratio of floor space of buildings that comply with energy saving standard (1999 standard) out of all buildings with a floor space of 2,000㎡ or more whose construction was certified in the applicable year

Trend of Energy Saving Standard Compliance Rate of Newly Constructed Buildings*

(1999 standard)

Energy saving measures notification became required in April 2003.

(Unit: %)

Types of buildings required to report their energy saving measures were widened in April 2010.

Trend of Energy Saving Standard Compliance RateAs a result of making the regulations more strict, the compliance rate of non‐residential buildings has reached approx. 90%.As  for housing, the standard compliance rate, which used to be less than 20%, increased to approx. 50% as a result of the introduction of housing eco‐point program.

* Estimate until FY2010 is based on a survey on distribution of the number of households complying with housing insulation standard, and estimate for FY2011 (provisional figure) is based on the number of households for which eco points are issued (detached house) as well as notification survey of energy saving act (condominium, etc.)

Types of buildings required to report their energy saving measures were widened in April 2010.

3 7 9 12 15 15 15 16 18

26 4349

0

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30

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50

60

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90

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1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Trend of Energy Saving Standard Compliance Rate of Newly Constructed Housing*

(1999 standard)(Unit: %)

Energy saving measures notification became required in April 2006.

It rose to approx. 50 percent in Fy2011 as a result of the introduction of housing eco‐point program.

4

Position of  Japan in the world

5

日本

Naha

Tokyo

AsahikawaAomori

Latitude: 45 degrees North

policies 1970～

1980～ 1990～ 2000～ 2010～

・2009~ ＜Long‐life Quality Housing Promotion Act＞Certification of Long‐life quality housing(tax deduction for housing loan, property tax reduction, etc.)

Regulations

Assessment and Labeling system

Incentives

・1979~ Energy Conservation Law  (Obligation to Make Effort)

・1980~1980 Residential Standard/1980Non‐Residential Standard

・1999~ 1999 Residential Standard/1999 Non‐Residential Standard

・2013~ 2013Standards (Residential & Non‐Residential combined,  introducing primary energy consumption)

・2000~ <Housing Quality Assurance Act> Housing Performance Indication System

・2009~ <Energy Conservation Law> Energy Efficiency Labeling

・2001~ Comprehensive Assessment System for Building Environment Efficiency  (CASBEE)

・2010~ Housing Eco‐Points

・2007~ Flat 35S (long‐term fixed rate housing loans)

・2012~ <Low‐Carbon Cities Promotion Act > Certification of low‐carbon buildings(tax deduction for housing loan,  preferred  floor 

arearatio, etc.)

・2008~ Housing and Building CO2 Emission Reduction Promotion Grant Program 

・2008~ Energy‐Efficient Renovation Promotion Grant Program

・2008~ Tax incentives to promote energy efficient renovations 

・2010~ (Additional target of reporting)｛Buildings of 300 ㎡ or more｝

・2012~ Zero‐Energy Housing Grant Program

①

②

③

Tax incentives 

・2009~ (Introduction of housing top‐runner standard)｛Construction of detached houses by home builders of 150 or more units per year｝

・2003~ (Reporting  to local governments) ｛Non‐residential buildings of 2000 ㎡ or more｝

・2006~ （Additional target of reporting）｛Residential buildings of 2000 ㎡ or more｝｛Large‐scale renovation of buildings of 2,000 ㎡or more, etc.｝

Loans

Grants

・1992~ 1992 Residential Standard・1993~ 1993 Non‐residential Standard

Building Energy Efficiency Policies in Japan

6

Overview of Energy‐Conservation Law

7

Announcement of effort obligation, judgment standard of business operator 

○Specific operator / specific catenation operator

(Energy use    1,500kl/year）・Obligation to choose energy supervisor, etc.

・Obligation to make regular report on energy usage, etc.

・Obligation to submit mid and long‐term plan

Announcement of effort obligation, judgment standard of business operator 

○Specific transportation operator (cargo / passenger)

（The number of owning vehicles 200 or more trucks,300 or more train cars, etc.）

・Obligation to submit mid and long‐term plan・Obligation to make regular report on energy usage, etc.

○Cargo owner（Annual transportation amount is 30 million ton km or more）

・Obligation to submit plan・Obligation to make regular report on energy usage, etc. concerning outsourcing transportation

Machinery & appliances

Announcement of effort obligation, judgment standard of manufacturers / import traders of machinery & appliances that consume energy  

Top runner system （26 machinery & appliances）・It requires better performance of machinery & appliances than those of the best commercialized ones like passenger car, air conditioner, television, etc.(Covering about 70% of household energy consumption).

Obligation of business operator to provide information to general consumers

・Providing energy‐conservation information (annual consumption of electricity, fuel efficiency, etc.) at  retailers of house appliances  

・Expanding use of energy‐conservation machinery & appliances, providing information, etc. by electric / gas companies

Providing information to general consumers

Announcement of effort obligation, judgment standard of owner / proprietor

○Specific building（Total floor space 300 ㎡ or more）・Obligation to submit application concerning energy‐conservation measure for owners who construct new buildings and execute large‐scaled revamp, report on preservation and  maintenance.

○Housing supplier（150 or more annually ）・Obligation to comply with the target to increase energy‐conservation performance for ready‐built housing that supply.

Plant / workplace Transportation Housing / buildings■It seeks for increasing energy efficiency in each sector of industry, business, household and transportation.

【Obligation to submit a plan of energy efficiency measures】

Type 1 Specified Buildings Type 2 Specified Buildings

Target buildings （floor area） 2,000㎡ or more 300㎡ or more, but less than 2,000㎡

Target work

New construction, addition and rebuilding beyond a fixed scale

New construction, addition and rebuilding beyond a fixed scale

Repair or a change of roof, wall, or floor beyond a fixed scale -

Installation of air conditioners or repair thereof beyond a fixed scale -

Actions to be taken by the

local government

Instruction, publication, order or penalties Recommendation

●Report to the local government on energy efficiency measures was required for commercial buildings(floor area ≥ 2,000 ㎡) in 2003, for residential buildings (≥ 2,000 ㎡) and large‐scale renovation ofbuilding (≥ 2,000㎡) in 2006, for construction of buildings ( ≥ 300㎡) in 2010.

●Administrative actions such as recommendation may be taken when the building energy efficiencymeasures are deemed materially insufficient according to the Energy Efficiency Standard.

Buildings for which reporting of building energy efficiency measures are mandatory 

Regulation based on the Energy‐Conservation Law

8

Promoting Energy‐Efficiency Measures for Housing/Buildings

9

Promoting energy-efficiency for housing/buildings with “Regulation”, “Evaluation/Indication”, “Incentives” to realize low-carbon society.

①Regulation under energy‐efficiency standards○Energy‐efficiency for housing / buildings

②Evaluation / Indication of energy‐efficiency performance

③Granting incentives

○Approach to spread the 2013 energy‐efficiency standards（Lecture for small / middle‐sized builders, carpenters）

○Review to make it obligatory, system adjustment・Reviewing evaluation method for traditional wooden housing, etc.・Ensuring/ improving performance / quality of building material / equipment

・Adjusting evaluation / inspection system

○Reviewing housing performance indication standards, etc.・Introducing primary energy consumption to standard considering revision of energy‐efficiency standard

・Examining evaluation/ indication system of energy‐efficiency performance including existing stock. 

Revision of energy‐efficiency standards

Developing certification criteria for low‐carbon buildings

New housing acquired certification is in scope of relief measure of income tax, etc.

Non‐residential：Enforced starting April, 2013（1‐year transitional measure）Residential ：To be enforced starting Oct. 2013（1.5‐year transitional measure）

（Enforced starting Dec. 2012）

○Supporting  excellent housing / buildings in terms of energy‐efficiency, such as low‐carbon housing, zero‐energy housing.

○Promoting energy‐efficiency renovation for existing stock（including long‐life quality housing of existing housing）

Together with the above ①～③, addressing gradual obligatory application to energy‐saving for new housing / buildings standards (till 2020) 

To realize low‐carbon society, with considering necessity, degree, balance of regulation, gradual application to energy‐efficiency standards for new housing / buildings will be obligatory by 2020.To achieve this, adjusting environment for smooth enforcement will be addressed considering development of enforcing technology of small/ middle‐sized builders and position of traditional wooden housing.

Realizing low‐carbon society

（”Japan reconstruction strategy” cabinet approval on June 14th, 2013)

Reviewing current energy‐efficiency standard

Energy‐efficiency standards in 2013

Assessment target

Assessment target

RevisionAssessing insulation 

performance of exterior wall, 

window Comprehensive assessment of leading‐edge approach like equipment performance, creating energy in addition to insulation performance of exterior wall, window 

Standard for  envelope performance

Standard for envelope performance+ 

standard for primary energy consumption

Air conditioning Ventilation

LightingHot 

Water supply

Photovoltaic

etc.

Air conditionin

g

Ventilation

LightingHot water supply

Current Residential Energy Efficiency Standard

New Residential Energy Efficiency Standard

Heating and 

cooling

Ventilation

Lightingsystems 

Hot‐watersupply systems

Photovoltaic

●Residential Energy Efficiency Standard has been revised so that the housing energy efficiency is evaluated compre‐hensively by primary energy consumption, including energy performance of equipment and use of renewable energy.Only thermal 

insulation levels are evaluated.

【Issue】・ Merits of energy efficiency are unclear to consumers.

・Although 30% of residential energy consumption is from hot water and lighting, efficiency improvements in hot water supply and  lighting systems are not evaluated. 

・ Energy production by solar panels and solar heaters are not counted.

Equipment performances are not evaluated.

Comprehensive evaluation, including equipment performance, etc. 

Revise Energy‐Efficiency Evaluation Methods for New Home Construction

● At present, only  the thermal insulation levels of housing envelope are evaluated.

Heating and 

coolingVentilation

Lightingsystems 

Hot‐watersupply systems

Photovoltaic

Heating and cooling

Hot water supply

Lighting systems

Ventilation

Photo voltaic, etc.

＜The calculation method for energy consumption＞

＝

＋

＋

＋

Household appliance, etc.＋

－

Estimated energy consumption  ≦

【Judgment criteria】

The estimation energy consumption is less than the standard value. 

Standard value10

Simplified Calculation Method of Envelopes (Specification table per part)

Window① South ：３ windowsTotal in each direction ： ６windows

Wall South：39.22㎡Total in each direction ： 151.72㎡

Door ： １ door

It makes available for envelope performance assessment by simplified calculation after fixing specification table for envelope part (combination of building materials). 

Ｕ value Layer construction and spec. number of part

4.65WI‐101Metal sash＋

Multi‐layered glass type A＜Area：2.05㎡＞

WI‐102Metal sash＋

Single board＋singleboard

＜Area：2.05㎡＞

WI‐103・・・Plastic sash＋Low‐E type B

＜Area：2.05㎡＞

： ： ： ：

4.07WI‐301Metal sash＋

Low‐E Multi‐layered type A＜Area：3.0㎡＞

WI‐302Metal sash＋

Multi‐layered glass＜Area：3.0㎡＞

WI‐303・・・Metal sash＋

Single board＋single board＜Area：3.0㎡＞

： ： ： ：

0.53WL‐101 WL‐102 WL‐103・・・

Window ② South ：２ windowsTotal in each direction ： ４windows

Window①

Window ②

Wall

envelope average heat transflux ratio＝247.63÷309.27＝0.80Ｗ/㎡・K ＜ 0.87（Standard of Tokyo）※It is available to calculate ηA value（Average insolation acquiring ratio）by the above method.（Different point is to multiply factor per direction.)

※In the case of using customized products such as window, door, calculate it by entering area of window.

Pick up spec. number from the list of each part.

・・・

・・・

①Spec. table per part ②Area of part , number of windows / doors Pick up areas of wall, ceiling, floor, and number of windows, doors from drawing.

Assess envelope heat performance by calculating simply  at calculator level. 

Part Spec. No. （Heat transflux ratio[W/(㎡・K）] ） Area of part［㎡］,etc. Heat transflux amount［Ｗ/

Ｋ］

Floor FL‐105 （0.48） × 62.10 ＝ 29.81Wall WL‐101 （0.53） × 151.72 ＝ 80.41Ceiling CL‐110 （0.24） × 67.91 ＝ 16.30

Window① WI‐102 （4.65） ×6 windows

（12.3）＝ 57.20

Window② WI‐303 （4.07） ×4 windows

（12.0）＝ 48.84

× ＝

Door① DR‐220 （4.65） × 1 door （3.24） ＝ 15.07× ＝

Total － 309.27 247.63

③Simplified calculation

・・・

・・・

・・・・・・

・・・・・・

11

Example of wooden housing  filling insulation approach

PartHeat transflux ratio（unitW/㎡・K）（As for basis, 

unit W/m・K）Details of specification Cross‐section 

configuration

Exterior wall

0.35

In the case of insulation structure with attachinginsulation material that R is more than 1.3（morethan 25 mm of thickness）on outside of frame,filling insulation material that R is more than 2.2（more than 100 mm of thickness) between frame.

0.53

In the case of insulation structure withfilling insulation material that R is morethan 2.2（more than 85 mm of thickness)between frame.

0.92

In the case of insulation structure with fillinginsulation material that R is more than 0.9（morethan 20 mm of thickness) between frame onoutside of earth wall.

（Example）In the case of filling 85 mm of insulation material with heat conductivity λ=0.038（Rock wool for housing（mat））・・・

Heat resistance (R) = Thickness of material , divided by heat conductivity λ = 0.085, divided by 0.038 = 2.24 > 2.2

Specification condition of heat transflux ratio of exterior  wall (=0.53) is met.

→Heat transflux ratio of exterior wall can be 0.53 without calculating it.

【Excerpt from separate table of notice】

Not only the example of notice, but this concept can also be used for various specifications.

Insulation material

Ventilation layer

Insulation material

Interior foundation material

Ventilation layer

Insulation material

Earth wall

Ventilation layer

Insulation material

Interior foundation material

Ventilation layer

Insulation material

Mud wall

Image of Specification Table per Part (Design enforcing guideline, Separate table 1‐7 of main rules)

12

28 

20 17 

13 

0 

5 

10 

15 

20 

25 

30 

Before 1980 1980 Standard

1992 Standard

1999 Standard

For housing ,the nation was divided into 6 regions in order to establish standards for thermal insulation, sun‐light shading and otheritems for each region.For buildings ,Energy saving standard of the building is made of energy conservation performance standards of construction andequipment(CEC) standard for thermal insulation performance(PAL).The Housing Energy Efficiency Standard was enacted in 1980, and strengthened in 1992, 1993 and again in 1999.

● Image of insulation of wooden houses

● Comparison of the annual heating and cooling energy consumption

Strengthen the Energy Efficiency Standard

● Image of energy conservation measures for buildings

● Comparison of energy consumption in buildings

※ When used as a energy consumption of 1980 reference prior same energy consumption required to obtain the indoor environment of similar(Energy consumption index)

（GJ/year・door） 1 0.925

0.85

0.75

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

Before 1980 1980 Standard 1993 Standard 1999 Standard

◇Outer wall, window, etc.∙  ・Insulation strengthening of the outer wall with insulation material

◇Air conditioning・ High efficiency of the heat source unit and the air conditioner machine

◇ Lighting・ Introduction of high‐efficiency lighting fixtures, etc.

◇Hot water supply・High efficiency water heater, etc.

◇ Ventilating・ The air volume control by inverter, etc.

◇ Elevator・ Introduction of the speed control system, etc.

Exterior wall thermal 

insulation:  100mm 

Eaves over south‐facing windows 

Ceiling thermal insulation:  180mm

Floor thermal insulation:  100mm 

Sun shade for east‐and‐west‐facing windows

Multiple glazing(thermal 

insulating sash, if possible) 

Continuous moisture‐proof airtight layer Specifications for

Region IV 

13

Act on the promotion of Low‐carbon city

In order to realize low‐carbon cities, it is required to bring new perspectives, such as living in Aging Society and living environmentally friendly in Low‐carbon city development plan, together with the private sector and citizens. So the "Act on the promotion of Low‐carbon city “ is enacted.

○ Integration of urban functions and promote the use of public transport○ Energy efficiency of houses and buildings, and efficient use of energy○ Green preservation and creation 

The purpose of Low‐carbon city（ the matter indicated to the basic policy ）

Certificated Low‐carbon Buildings

○ Administrative agencies with jurisdiction certify that buildings meet the leading standards.

Low‐carbon city development plan

○ Municipalities can develop a plan to promote comprehensive measures for Low‐carbon city.

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Primary energy consumption should be less than 10% compared with energy efficiency standards of the Energy Conservation Law.Other measures to contribute to be low‐carbon should be taken.

Etc.

〈Concept of single-family home〉

Solar power generation panel

＋

High‐Efficiency hot‐water supply system

○Primary energy consumption (other than energy consumption of home electrical appliances ) should be less than 10% compared with energy efficiency standards of the Energy Conservation Law.（※）

Quantitative evaluation items（Essential Items）

Low‐Carbon Standards

１０％

Selective ItemsAmong the following measures which contribute to be low‐carbon and  are not included in energy efficiency standards,what are above a certain level should be taken.

Concept of Standards concerning Certification of Low‐Carbon Buildings

○ water‐saving measure

○ Using wooden material

○ Installing HEMS

Taking measures to contribute to control heat island like planting trees on the site, roof top and wall surface. 

Taking measures to contribute to saving water like using rain water and adopting water‐saving instrument.

Using materials like wooden material which contribute to be Low‐Carbon.

Promoting action to contribute to be Low‐Carbon of residents by“visualization” of energy use,  

※Requirement should be to secure insulation performance which is equal to or higher than energy efficiency standards of the Energy Conservation Law.

＋

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Energy Efficiency Standards of the Energy Conservation Law

○Countermeasures against heat island  phenomenon

32 items in 10 fields are evaluated and graded.

Item Grade Criteria

Energy-conserva-tionmeasures grade

Grade４

A measure for significant reduction of energy is taken. （1999 Energy-Efficiency Standard level）

Grade３

A measure for certain level ofreduction of energy is taken. （1992 Energy-Efficiency Standard level）

Grade２

A measure for small reduction of energy is taken. （1980 Energy-Efficiency Standard level）

Grade１

Others （ no thermal insulation,etc）

●Housing Unites evaluated by the system in FY2011): 197,748 units （23.5% of all new housing starts）

⑧AcousticEnvironment

⑤ThermalEnvironment

⑥Indoor AirEnvironment

②Fire Safety

StructuralStability

⑦Light & viewEnvironment⑩Security 

againstintrusion

③Durability⑨Consideration for the Aged and others

④For maintenance & future repair

〔Example〕「⑤Thermal Environment」

■ Housing Performance Indication System （2000～）A system based on the Housing Quality Assurance Act, in which a fair and independent organization evaluates housing performance by common rules and standards, and indicates the performance by a grade, through examination of drawings and specifications, or inspection at a construction site.

[Labeling] Labeling and Information Provision of Housing Energy Efficiency Performance

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［Incentives］ Budget request for FY2014 Environment / Stock-Utilizing Promotion Project

① Housing/buildings CO2 emission reduction promotion grant programSupport for housing / buildings leading project which contribute to spreading / enlightening CO2 saving technology 

【Main supporting target 】Maintenance cost for building construction relating to leading‐edge CO2 saving technology, cost for verifying effect, etc. 【Supporting ratio】1/2

② Zero‐energy housing promotion grant program

Support for tackling zero‐energy housing at middle and small‐sized builders 

【 Main supporting target 】Additional amount by building zero‐energy housing, etc. 【Supporting ratio】1/2 （Max. amount of support 165 mil. Yen/house）

<Image of zero‐energy housing><Long‐life quality renovation>

③ Energy‐efficiency renovation on buildings promotion grant program  

Energy‐efficiency renovation on buildings that energy consumption is declined by more than 15% and barrier‐free renovation with energy‐saving renovation 

【 Main supporting target 】Cost for energy‐efficiency renovation, barrier‐free renovation（※１） , cost for verifying effect, etc.※１）Only in the case of executing it with energy‐efficiency renovation construction【 Supporting ratio】 1/3

【Maximum amount】 Buildings：50 mil. Yen/case （In the case of executing barrier‐free renovation, it is 75 million yen/case）

④ Long‐life quality renovation 【New： Framework for prioritized agenda】

Support for leading‐edge approach of renovation which contributes to long service life of existing housing 

【 Main supporting target 】Cost for renovation contributing long service life of existing housing, etc.【 Supporting ratio】 1/3 【Maximum amount】1 million yen /case, etc.

Measures against degradation

Energy efficiency

Ex.）Subfloor damp proof,measure against ants

Ex.）Insulation of exterior wall

○Implementation ofinspection

○Improvement ofperformance

・Earthquake‐resistance

・Energy‐efficiency

・Measures against degradation

・Easiness of maintenance / update, etc,

○Creating maintenance  plan

Earthquake‐resistance

Ex.）Reinforcement of frame

Amount of budget request for FY2014：22,868 million yen（Framework for promoting prioritized agenda：6,478 million yen)

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