Toyoko INN’s illegal renovation problem

See the Japanese Wikipedia entry: Toyoko INN's illegal renovation problem

On January 27, 2006, Toyoko INN was found to be in compliance with the inspection regulations of Japan's building regulations (the Toyoko Law). , which is a regulation that facilitates the use of specific buildings by the elderly and physically handicapped people). After the barrier-free environment passes the inspection, illegal modifications are made and these barrier-free facilities are dismantled.

Renovation projects that violate Japan’s Basic Building Law have been found in Toyoko Inns in Soka City, Osaka City, Himeji City, Kagoshima City, Nagasaki City, Shimane Prefecture and other places. Among them, four Toyoko Inns in Osaka City were found to have carried out unauthorized renovation works. The president at the time, Kenmasa Nishida, personally gave instructions to carry out unauthorized modifications after passing the inspection and to modify the building plan and other information. President Nishida said at the press conference:

“Only 1 or 2 people stay in the special guest rooms for the disabled every year, and in the end they become warehouses and storage rooms.

< p>Even in places where the speed limit is 60 kilometers, there are still people speeding through at 65 kilometers.”

After such a speech, many media criticized Nishida’s business methods, including assigning excessive work and belittling female managers. , one-person operation and management (ワンマン経営). However, there are also consumers who support President Nishida’s cost-saving and elimination of unnecessary expenses.

Nishida’s speech and illegal modification of the hotel sparked protests from the Japan Federation of Physically Disabled Groups. On February 2, 2006, Nishida personally visited the United Association to apologize.

According to a report by the Japanese news agency Japan on February 1, 2006, Toyoko INN has more than 80 illegal modifications in 26 prefectures and counties across Japan. On February 6 of the same year, it was confirmed that there were 60 illegal hotels and 77 illegal renovations in ***, all of which violated Japan's Basic Building Law on the Protection of the Elderly and the Physically Disabled (Handout Law).

On March 6, 2006, Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism revoked the architect's license owned by Toyoko INN's affiliated company "Toyoko INN Development Co., Ltd." On May 31, Toyoko Inn Co., Ltd. underwent organizational changes, and former president Kenmasa Nishida was demoted to "Chairman of the Board of Directors" with no actual business power.

On June 23, 2006, Toyoko INN resumed all illegal modification projects. In addition, due to an inability to coordinate with the building owner, the Funabashi branch was closed without repairs.

Illegal transformation content

Convert guest rooms and parking spaces dedicated to persons with physical disabilities into general guest rooms and warehouses.

Remove Braille signs and wheelchair signs.

In violation of the floor area ratio stipulated in the Building Standards Act, the parking lot was converted into general guest rooms and a lobby.