JLPT N1 Reading Comprehension Lesson 17

Wooden houses in Japan are usually rebuilt after about 30 years. Of course, many buildings over 100 years old are still preserved. However, most of those buildings have historical value in themselves. Therefore, it is rare to see an ordinary house that has been in use for 50 years. In contrast, there are many old wooden houses in Canada. Those houses are old but well-maintained. I was invited to a student's home, which was 60 years old, but I did not feel any sense of age. This was because the owner had been constantly repairing and painting it. However, in modern Japan, it is rare for people to repair their own houses. This is because the culture of repairing and continuing to live in a house has been lost. In the past, Japanese houses had bathrooms and toilets built separately in different locations. Therefore, the house itself was less prone to damage. However, now that all plumbing and other systems are inside the house, the building deteriorates from the inside. Even if the wooden parts are fine, the other systems often fail first. As a result, the house is rebuilt. According to one scholar, 80% of demolished houses could have been repaired and continued to be lived in. Whether to rebuild or repair depends on the owner's mindset. Since a full renovation is not significantly cheaper than building new, few people choose to repair and continue living in the house. However, if a house is demolished, the carbon dioxide contained in the wood is released. For the sake of protecting the global environment, I would like to recommend full renovations.