Asbestos laws, etc.

On June 5, 2020, the "Law for Partial Revision of the Air Pollution Control Law" (2020 Law No. 39 (hereinafter referred to as the “Amendment Act”) was issued.
The revised law has been in effect since April 1, 2021.
For details, please check the website of the Ministry of the Environment.
Regarding the Amended Air Pollution Control Law (1) Expansion of the scope of regulation Regulations will be developed to expand the scope of the regulation to cover all building materials containing asbestos, including molded boards containing asbestos.
(2) Ensuring the reliability of preliminary surveys In order to prevent inappropriate preliminary surveys, such as overlooking building materials containing asbestos, we ask the main contractor whether or not building materials containing asbestos are present in demolition work for buildings of a certain size or larger. Regardless of this, it is obligatory to report the results of the investigation to prefectures, etc. In addition, investigation methods, etc. will be statutory.
(3) Establishment of direct punishment In order to thoroughly prevent the scattering of asbestos during the removal of building materials containing asbestos, direct punishment will be established for those who remove asbestos by spraying without isolation.
(4) Prevention of inappropriate work Main contractors are obliged to report the results of work such as removal of asbestos-containing building materials to the ordering party, and to create and store records related to the work.
(5) Other measures, such as expanding the scope of on-site inspections by prefectures, establishing the responsibility of the national government and local governments to support the understanding of whether or not building materials containing asbestos are used by owners of buildings prepared for disasters, etc. regulations will be established.

Flyer to prevent scattering of asbestos

Asbestos scattering prevention leaflet

At the same time as the revision of the Air Pollution Control Law, the Asbestos Ordinance (Asbestos Hazard Prevention Ordinance) was also revised.
For details, please check the website of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Related laws and ordinances such as the Asbestos Hazard Prevention Ordinance

Asbestos Comprehensive Information Portal Site

《Air Pollution Control Law/Environmental Security Ordinance》Notification pertaining to specific dust emission work (asbestos)

We will inform you about the notification regarding measures to prevent scattering of asbestos, which is necessary when dismantling, remodeling or repairing buildings, etc.

Application guide