The central government, along with local authorities, plans to shoulder all of the costs of tearing down condominium buildings that were designed with bogus earthquake-resistance data, the infrastructure minister said Sunday.
Kazuo Kitagawa, who heads the Infrastructure, Land and Transport Ministry, also told reporters the government is considering offering financial support to residents forced to leave their condominiums and relocate to private rental accommodations.
"The public sector should put up all the costs in view of the possible danger to nearby residents when defective buildings are demolished," Kitagawa said.
He said the government will basically give up or reduce rents for residents who relocate to public housing units, and will provide financial assistance to those who move to privately owned housing.
But Kitagawa indicated residents who bought defective condos would be required to shoulder part of the costs to reconstruct the buildings.
The ministry said Friday that quake-resistance building data has been fabricated by architect Hidetsugu Aneha for 47 buildings in 11 prefectures.
Of the 47 buildings, at least 13 are deemed at risk of collapsing in the event of a moderately strong quake.
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