Japan used asbestos heavily until a full ban in 2006, so virtually every older building is a possibility until proven otherwise. Intact material poses little risk — the danger begins the moment someone starts cutting. Since 2021 a pre-work survey has been mandatory, must be done by a certified surveyor, and must be reported. For buyers of older property, the lesson is simple: survey before you budget, not after.
Every renovation budget we see from overseas buyers has one line missing. Asbestos rarely stops a project outright — but it reliably adds weeks, sometimes months, and occasionally rewrites the numbers entirely. This guide sets out what the law requires, what it costs, and when to plan for it.
