Two Japanese ministeries have teamed up to introduce new flood-prevention measures for high-rise buildings in the country.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are working together to implement new rules under the Building Standards Act.

Officials told the Japan Times that the ministries plan to revise part of the government’s basic policy on river maintenance as early as this fiscal year after discussions at the Council for Social Infrastructure, which advises the infrastructure minister.

It comes after Typhoon Hagibis caused widespread damage in northern Japan when it struck in October, unleashing nearly one metre of rain in just 24 hours in some locations, causing widespread flash flooding as well as river flooding. 

The Building Standards Act currently contains guidelines for earthquake and fire prevention, but not flooding. 

Sources: Property Central

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