Kuchikomi Oct. 10, 2008 - 05:46AM JST ( 4 )

Fifteen people died in a fire at a video-viewing establishment in a multi-tenant building in Osaka earlier this month. Even though the fire was caused by an arsonist, it has focused attention on the issue of how many establishments lack adequate fire prevention measures. The reality is that thousands of karaoke, video and comic book lounges across the country may be potential death traps because their owners ignore safety codes and violate building regulations.

The video-viewing establishment business provides a relaxing reclining chair or sofa bed and shower room as well as light meals. While many of these places offer porn videos, not everyone uses the service for that purpose. Rather, many people tend to stay there because they are cheap temporary accommodation.

“That building in Osaka had no windows. It wouldn’t take much time to be full of smoke,” says Takehiko Yamamura of the Disaster Prevention System Institute. “The most dangerous is carbon monoxide gas which can kill people who inhale it just three times.”

The floor of the building in the Osaka case did not have any fire extinguishers, sprinklers or evacuation notices.

Professor Yoshiteru Murosaki, a specialist in urban disaster prevention, says it is common for such business owners to ignore the law. He says, “While hotels, large office buildings, shopping and entertainment complexes are legally obliged to install sprinklers and evacuation guidance announcement devices, video-viewing establishments, Internet cafes and karaoke lounges are not.”

Even sex establishments are required by law to have emergency safety measures in the event of a fire or earthquake. But video-viewing establishments get around this, says Kojiro Hino, who is an administrative scrivener. He says, “Offering porn movies doesn’t constitute a sex business because it is just like watching a movie in your hotel room. They just want to rent as many rooms for as long as possible each day and night for the maximum profit return. I’m not surprised they pay no attention to safety measures.”

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has already ordered local governments to inspect video-viewing establishments, and will order the suspension of businesses that do not comply with safety codes. The inspections will focus on businesses that have private cubicles, which have become a popular modern-day substitute for flophouses.

Professor Murosaki points out, “As long as these establishments accept people who stay there all night, then they should be subject to the same laws as any other place that offers accommodation. Safety measures must be obligatory whatever their business is.” (Translated by Taro Fujimoto)