November 29, 2005
The Ministry of the Environment compiled a report on vibration-related complaints and the status of enforcement of the Vibration Regulation Law in FY 2004 based on reports submitted by local governments.
| 1. | State of Complaints about Vibration |
Complaints about vibration totaled 3,289 in FY 2004 (2,608 in FY 2003), showing an increase of 681 complaints (an approx. 26.1% increase) from the previous year (Fig. 1). A breakdown of these complaints by vibration source shows that construction work accounted for 1,932 complaints (58.8% of the total), factories and business establishments 769 complaints (23.4%) and road traffic 304 (9.2%) (Fig. 2). Compared to FY 2003, the number of complaints related to construction increased by 440, factories and business establishments by 97 and road traffic by 11 (Fig. 3).
| 2. | Enforcement Status of the Vibration Regulation Law |
As of March 31, 2005, the number of municipalities having areas designated under the Vibration Regulation Law was 1,513, comprising approximately 59.5% of the total number of municipalities throughout Japan.
The total number of factories and business establishments registered under the Vibration Regulation Law as subject to vibration control (specified factories, etc.) was 121,204 as of March 31, 2005 (121,947 in FY 2003) (Table 1). The number of on-site inspections conducted at these specified factories under the Law was 176 (163 in FY 2003). Administrative guidance was given to 209 cases (146 in FY 2003) (Table 2).
The total number of construction work registered under the Vibration Regulation Law as subject to vibration control (specified construction work) was 31,066 (30,317 in FY 2003) (Table 3). The number of on-site inspections conducted to these specified construction work under the Law was 510 (422 in FY 2003). Administrative guidance was given to 671 cases (455 in FY 2003) (Table 4).
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