Minato City to make it mandatory to install emergency buzzers in sauna facilities; revised ordinance after Akasaka accident

Tokyo's Minato Ward has decided to make it mandatory for all sauna facilities in the ward to be equipped with emergency buzzers, following an accident that killed two couples at a private sauna facility in Akasaka. The ordinance will be amended to allow existing sauna facilities to have their business licenses revoked after a certain grace period. The proposed amendment will be submitted to the regular ward assembly meeting to be held on September 10th.

There are two amendments to be made: the Public Bath Law Enforcement Ordinance and the Hotel Business Law Enforcement Ordinance. In addition to installing emergency buzzers and periodically checking their operation, we also require that doors be constructed so that they can be easily opened and closed by simply pushing or pulling them. Sauna operations require permission based on either ordinance, and it is extremely rare nationwide that both ordinances are amended to require safety measures.

For existing facilities, there will be a one-year grace period for emergency buzzers and a six-month grace period for door structures. The ward will issue guidance and instructions to facilities that do not comply even after this period, and those that still do not comply will have their business licenses revoked.

The Akasaka accident occurred in December last year...