So I’ve lived in Japan for almost 17 years now, and I have lived in several different places in Tokyo.
And every single place that I have lived there has ALWAYS been construction going on around my apartment. And when that construction project finishes, another one always starts on another area of the block.
I recently moved into a house in a quiet neighborhood and finally had some piece and quiet for….. like 3 months…. and then BAM… construction in my area.
My question is, is there a law in place that is supposed to prevent construction companies from starting their construction at like 6 or 7 in the morning every day?
Or is it just a free for all, start when you want, wake everyone in the area up, get money, go home, rinse/repeat?
I am being woken up by hammers and buzz saws on the weekdays and weekends every day.
And it’s been driving me absolutely insane and is effecting my energy and work performance and daily life.
It’s gotten to the point where when I am walking about in other areas of Tokyo and hear construction, it’s starting to make me physically shudder and seems to be inducing some kind of weird trauma.
17 years of this shit.
Is there any place to make a complaint to ask them if they are going to do construction to please start at a reasonable hour?
Are their laws around this?
7 comments
Ya I thought about this the other day. With earthquakes a constant thread it will never end. There will always be old buildings to tear down and reinforce. Perhaps you belong in the countryside now?
Yea, it sucks especially if you work night shift and are a light sleeper. But sadly no. We have noise laws and the construction companies abide by them. You would have to look it up but I think the quiet time is maybe like 22-07 or something. outside of that is free reign.
Construction hours are regulated by multiple laws – the Vibration Regulation Law (regulating heavy machinery like excavators) and the Noise Regulation Law come to mind.
Specifically, construction work (noisy or using heavy machinery) in residential areas is permitted from 7:00 to 19:00. In addition, the construction time per day is limited to 10 hours maximum. Keep in mind that this doesn’t count break times, so it they take an hour midday and a couple of half hour breaks, it could go the full twelve hours.
If your area is zoned as industrial, then the time limit is 6:00 to 22:00 and 14 hours. In either case, they can do no more than 6 consecutive days – there must be at least one day off per week. The noise limit is 85 decibels or less at all times, measured at the perimeter of the construction site.
Avenues for complaint are:
Management company (condo or rental)
Neighbourhood association (detached house)
Both of these are good to establish that other neighbours are also being impacted, so it’s a good first step.
Then you can go to your municipal office, they should have a pollution control section (公害苦情相談窓口) that handles noise pollution complaints.
Well, its Tokyo. That is one of the cons of living in the city. People who prefer peace and quiet move to the country side. Cons of that as you can imagine. Basic Japan 101.
Unfortunately, around 7am is very normal construction start times in a lot places not just Japan.
Unlucky I suppose. I’ve had a bit of construction next to me (maybe a total of 1 year over 33) in various locations in Nakano. Not as much as you it seems. Yes, 7am is legal.
A common issue that I believe everyone encounters here. I live almost in the 田舎(inaka) and even still.. any old buildings or new construction will occur if you are somewhat near other homes or apartments. In my area the surrounding land is getting sold and construction is starting. Thankfully if you don’t work night shift it shouldn’t damper your experience but you are not alone. Every place I have stayed or lived in Japan this occurs. It is regulated, and complaining doesn’t do much.