Comments on: Japan’s Top 20 “Reform” Wishlist

By: freedomwv

freedomwv — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:52:26 +0000

The locks thing really gets me. Japan does not have a crime problem. I guess this is coming from the influence of the western fear of being robbed or attacked by terrorist.

By: Nick Ramsay

Nick Ramsay — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:00:23 +0000

That’s good advice, Goofy. I’ll remember to do that when the time comes.

By: Goofy

Goofy — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:57:23 +0000

My house was 30 yrs old when the hanshin quake hit- no probs whatsoever!
Think of the 30yr limit as car shaken – the car makers pay the gov. to impose rules so you’ll consider buying a new car instead of fixing what you’ve got. But houses were built substandard to begin with – no insulation, cheap plywood flooring, single pane windows, etc.

If your serious about rebuilding your house talk with an American, Canadian, or European carpenter….they know how a house should be built!!

NOT with a J carpenter or house reform company!!! Their only in it for the money!!!!!

Take a look at Fine Homebuilding magazine, or search the net for other publications, articles, how-to’s to get a better idea of what you can do to improve your house.

Good luck and happy reforming

An old house owner and reformer.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:50:15 +0000

I feel that house ownership could be a good idea if you have a family and know you’ll be in the same city for 20 years. Otherwise renting is the way to go so you can have the ultimate freedom of mobility.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:46:31 +0000

Heating and cooling – Yeah I’m quite surprised that people don’t have central heating and cooling. Apartments should come with central air, and on a side note… their own light fixtures.

By: Steve in Nagoya

Steve in Nagoya — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:21:57 +0000

I thought “new neighbors” would have made the list. I realize that it’s not something you can find advertized in the newspaper, but I’m sure a few of the local Yaks down at the Pachinko Palor have some sort of a “new neighbor re-fit” that you can sign up for.

I live in a condo with downstairs neighbors who sometimes like to exercise their dog on the balacony at 3 am.

By: Mum

Mum — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:35:16 +0000

Gosh Nick. You are worrying me now. Have you really only got 12 years left? You had better start on your reforming it soon.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 16:38:48 +0000

Owning a home is nice but it sure can be a headache! Kind of makes you wonder if it’s better to rent.

By: Nick Ramsay

Nick Ramsay — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:11:59 +0000

I can't say that you have to rebuild, but 30 years is considered the lifetime of a Japanese house... here we go, I've found an article on this very subject on Economist.com:

Homes in Japan last for only 30 years. The government wants to change that.

By: billywest

billywest — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:09:21 +0000

I love DIY! If I ever have a house again, it’ll be an older one so I can do a lot of reforming; The most fun part of buying a house for me.