Follow-Up Survey of Sprayed Asbestos in National Government Buildings
Overview
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism compiled data on the use of sprayed asbestos and similar materials in national government buildings. As of March 31, 2026, their use was confirmed in 263 buildings; airborne-fiber prevention measures had been implemented in 252, while 11 had no such measures. One building had a possible use of these materials, but its content had not been investigated. The survey covered 81,912 buildings and also reported the previous year's figures for buildings where the materials were used and related categories.
Key points
- At the end of fiscal year 2025, 11 buildings had no airborne-fiber prevention measures in place.
- The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will continue preservation guidance and information provision.
- The survey covered buildings and similar structures classified as administrative property under the jurisdiction of each ministry and agency.
Overview
Following a meeting of relevant cabinet ministers on asbestos, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has compiled data annually since fiscal year 2005 on the use of sprayed asbestos and similar materials in national government buildings and attached facilities. The survey date was March 31, 2026.
The survey covered buildings and similar structures classified as administrative property among national government properties under the jurisdiction of each ministry and agency. The materials were “sprayed asbestos” and “sprayed rock wool containing asbestos.” Asbestos was defined as material containing more than 0.1% by weight of any of six specified fibrous substances.
Impact
The number of buildings without airborne-fiber prevention measures fell from 702 at the start of follow-up (as of September 15, 2005) to 11 at the end of fiscal year 2025.
Details
Based on the previous survey results, each ministry and agency verified the status. The survey covered 81,912 buildings. As of March 31, 2026, sprayed asbestos or similar materials were used in 263 buildings; prevention measures had been implemented in 252, and had not been implemented in 11, where measures such as prohibiting access to areas of use were in place. The figures in parentheses for March 31, 2025, were 273, 261, and 12 buildings, respectively. One building had a possible use of these materials, but its content had not been investigated (also one building the previous year).
Each ministry and agency responsible for managing the buildings identifies whether sprayed asbestos or similar materials are present and promotes measures to prevent airborne fibers, including removal. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will continue preservation guidance and information provision to each ministry and agency so that they take appropriate necessary measures, including removal and determining whether the materials are present.