There is a nationally adopted and recognized certification process called the Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE). It is not mandatory for all buildings, but some local governments require a CASBEE certification or report for the construction of new buildings.
CASBEE
The CASBEE was developed in 2001 by a research committee comprised of representatives from academia, industry, and national and local governments. The committee established the Japan Sustainable Building Consortium (JSBC) with the support of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The JSBC is responsible for around 90% of green building certification in Japan.
The CASBEE assesses four aspects of buildings: (i) energy efficiency, (ii) resource efficiency, (iii) outdoor environment, and (iv) indoor and the environment. It also calculates the Built Environment Efficiency (BEE) of the assessed buildings.
CASBEE is characterized by its link to government initiatives. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has adopted CASBEE as a selection item in its evaluation guidelines and certification criteria for projects such as the Leading Project for Sustainable Buildings. In addition, local governments have developed their own version of CASBEE by adding their own requirements based on CASBEE.
In many cases, developers seek certification to obtain preferential treatment such as development subsidies and enhanced limits on floor-area ratios that may be made available for buildings that are constructed using CASBEE criteria.
Other certification systems in Japan include the Building-Housing Energy-Efficiency Labeling System (BELS), the Zero Energy Building (ZEB), the Net Zero Energy House (ZEH) and the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) Green Building certification.
Obligation to report
Some local governments, such as Osaka and Yokohama City, require a notification based on CASBEE before commencing the construction of buildings over a certain size.
Generally, in most cases, notification is required at least 21 days prior to the start of construction of buildings with a total floor area of 2,000 square meters or more.