Yes, I saw it everyday on the tv, I just returned from a visit to Japan.
The television and newspapers were full of it.
Do not forget that besides the hotels many apartmentbuildings were involved
as well.
So many people were so frightened....
I lived in Tokyo for 6,5 years and was so afraid of earthquakes.
Just imagine you think you live in a relatively safe earthquake-proof
building and then you hear that it is not even safe for earthquakes of
magnitude 5......
Everyday a big one is expected in Tokyo.
The inspectors who check the construction can be chosen since a few years
and many architects choose "easy" ones that seem to check the construction
with their eyes closed.
I think it was a very bad idea to let architects choose a private
constructor-inspector.
This is the task of a government inspector and it should never be
possible to chose an inspector.
Giny
"Prophet of the Way" schreef in bericht
news:dmd9j2$peu$1@newsflood.tokyo.att.ne.jp...
>A total of 13 hotels in Tokyo and central Japan have closed
> as it has become known that an architect has falsified structual
> strength calculations.
>
> 4 hotels to shut until quake risk is determined
> November 24 2005
> The Asahi Shimbun (English version)
> http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200511240135.html
>
>
> Those with reservations are being redirected to other inns.
>
> The architect in question is involved in the design of more than 40
> hotel buildings in Japan. Most hotels are examining their blueprints
> and putting up notices on their web pages in a rush. If you plan to
> visit Japan in the near future, pay attention to news on this subject,
> especially if you are booking your lodgings on your own.
>
>
> Keio Presso Inn Kayabacho, Gotanda (both downtown Tokyo)
> http://www.presso-inn.com/english/index.html
>
> (Keio Presso is the business hotel chain of the Keio Railway group.
> The luxury hotels belong to the Keio Plaza chain.)
>
> Sanco Inn Kuwana-Ekimae, Kuwana, Mie-ken
> Sanco Inn Shizuoka, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka-ken
> http://www.sanco-inn.jp/index2.html
>
> Meitetsu Inn Kariya, Kariya, Aichi ken
> http://www.meitetsu-inn.jp/
>
> Az Inn Ohbu (also spelled "Obu" or "Oobu", near Nagoya), Aichi-ken.
> http://www.ace-az-inn.com/oobu/oobu-top.htm
>
> Ace Inn Matsumoto, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano-ken
> http://ace.alpico.co.jp/e/index.html (English)
>
> Park Inn Hiratsuka, Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa-ken (west of Yokohama)
> http://www.parkinn.jp/
>
> Plaza Inn Hamura, Hamura-shi, Tokyo
> http://www.plazainn-hamura.co.jp/
>
> Kuretake Inn Hamanako, Kosai-shi, Shizuoka-ken (JR Washizu Stn.)
> http://www.kuretake-inn.com/hamanako/
>
> Hotel Saint Pia, Ina-shi, Nagano-ken
> http://www.saint.ne.jp/ohashi/index05.html
>
> Komagane Premont Hotel, Komagane-shi, Nagano-ken
> http://www.premont.jp/
>
> Okazaki Daiichi Hotel East Wing, Okazaki-shi, Aichi-ken
> http://www12.ocn.ne.jp/~oka-east/f_top.htm
>
>
> There is not much English information on the above links, indicating they
> are used mostly by local businessmen and tourists. Some pages do not even
> mention service suspensions. The problems are due to structural problems;
> other buildings within given chains stay in business.
>
> ---
>
> English-language Japanese newspapers available online:
>
> The Japan Times
> http://www.japantimes.co.jp/
>
> Asahi Shimbun
> http://www.asahi.com/english/
>
> Mainichi Daily News
> http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/
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