The operators of 13 hotels built or designed based on false quake-resistance data plan to file lawsuits against local governments or state-designated building inspection firms for failing to detect the faulty plans, a Kyodo News survey released Thursday.

The hotels, spread out over nine prefectures, are among 36 so far that have been forced to suspend operations or construction because they were designed with substandard resistance to earthquakes.

Of the 13, seven said they intend to sue and are consulting lawyers, while the other six said they are thinking about it.

Most, however, said they are putting priority on reopening, the survey showed.

The 13 hotels are situated in Aichi, Fukuoka, Gunma, Hyogo, Kanagawa, Mie, Nagano, Osaka and Shizuoka prefectures.

About 20 of the 36 hotels are also seeking to establish a liaison group so they can collaborate on the legal proceedings.

The compensation demands will be based on the amount needed to reinforce the buildings and the losses caused by the closures, according to the survey.

Most of the hotels were designed and constructed by Kimura Construction Co. and its subsidiary design office, Heisei Sekkei.

The operator of one of the hotels indicated it will be impossible to seek compensation from the companies because they are bankrupt.

"If the ability (of the two firms) to pay compensation is taken into consideration, we have no choice but to file a lawsuit against those involved in checking building data," the unnamed operator said.