73 percent of homeowners unaware of their property’s earthquake resistance
- Adam German
- Aug 27
- 1 min read
A nationwide survey has revealed that nearly three-quarters of homeowners in Japan do not know the earthquake resistance level of their own homes, underscoring persistent challenges in disaster preparedness despite frequent seismic activity across the country.
Survey Findings
The survey, conducted by Ichijo Komuten, a Guiness World Record holding Japanese housing construction company, asked homeowners about their awareness of their property’s seismic safety.
Results showed that 73.5% responded they were “unable to determine” their home’s earthquake resistance, highlighting a widespread knowledge gap.
When asked about sources of information, only 9.6% said they had received a structural assessment from a professional, while 16.9% relied on building age or construction method as an indicator.
Regional and Demographic Trends
Awareness levels were slightly higher in areas that have experienced major earthquakes in recent decades. However, even in those regions, more than half of respondents admitted they did not fully grasp the seismic resilience of their homes.
Demographically, younger homeowners (under 40) were less likely to know their property’s earthquake resistance compared to those over 60, suggesting generational differences in concern and knowledge about housing safety.
Call for Greater Transparency
Experts emphasize the importance of accessible information and third-party inspections to bridge this knowledge gap. With government programs in place to promote seismic retrofitting, more effort is needed to encourage homeowners to undergo professional evaluations.
“Understanding your home’s resilience is the first step in protecting lives and reducing future earthquake damage,” Ichijo Komuten noted in its report.
Sources:
R.E. Port News (Japanese only)
PR Times (Japanese only but more detailed than that presented above.)
