No.81 Please confirm the safety of block walls!

On June 18, 2018, a maximum seismic intensity of 6 weak occurred with the epicenter in the northern part of Osaka Prefecture. In response to a request from the National Association of Young Mayors, the city sent blue sheets to Hirakata City in Osaka Prefecture.
The damage from this earthquake mainly involved roof damage, and the affected area seemed to be relatively small. However, as reported daily, a tragic accident occurred in Takatsuki City where a pool's block wall collapsed, resulting in casualties among children on their way to school.
In response, the city independently judged that emergency measures were necessary and conducted an emergency inspection of block walls at public facilities starting the next day, the 19th. Upon checking all 86 public facilities in the city, it was found that there were no block walls in 79 locations, 2 out of the 7 locations with block walls met the standards, and 5 did not. The first report was communicated to the city council on the 22nd of the same month.
At this point, signs were displayed to keep people away from the walls that did not meet the standards, and measures for reserve funds and the Supplementary Budget were taken, deciding to carry out renovations within the fiscal year.
Since the renovations would require a significant amount of expenses, there was an option to reinforce the non-compliant sections and leave the compliant sections as they were. However, considering the degree of aging, it was decided to renovate all to fences that are less likely to collapse this time. Additionally, one location that was identified in a subsequent re-investigation and the Manneken wall, which was excluded from the emergency survey, have also been added.
By the way, regulations regarding block walls were triggered by the Tokachi-Oki Earthquake in 1968, leading to amendments to the Building Standards Act Enforcement Order, which were enforced in 1971. Further amendments were enforced in 1981 due to the Miyagi Prefecture-Oki Earthquake, which limited the height to below 2.2 meters.
Safety measures have been strengthened multiple times in response to each earthquake disaster, but since legal regulations do not apply retroactively, some walls installed before the standard amendments remain as they are.

In general, the lifespan of typical block walls is said to be about 30 years with good construction, while internal rebar begins to rust after about 15 years. Even if they meet standards, it is possible that they may become dangerous due to aging.
To encourage the elimination of hazards in residential and private facilities in the city alongside the renovation of public facilities, the city has decided to conduct a "Survey of Hazardous Locations Due to Earthquake Damage."
As announced in the Inagi Newsletter dated August 1, 2018, we have started a citywide survey conducted by city staff, aiming to complete it by the end of September 2018. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
The survey will target masonry walls such as block walls, permanent walls, and Oya stone walls that are over 1.2 meters high and face the road.
However, since staff do not have the authority to enter properties, this survey will be conducted visually from the road, and it may be unclear whether there are retaining walls behind the block walls or if rebar is present inside the walls.
Therefore, we will distribute a request document titled "Regarding Safety Inspections of Block Walls, etc. (Request)" to the relevant locations, and we ask citizens to conduct self-inspections and consult with experts as necessary.
To prevent tragic accidents, please consider renovations or other measures if hazards are identified.
Additionally, the city has a system to subsidize part of the costs for removing block walls to install hedges, so we encourage you to consider utilizing this as well.