Earthquakes are concerning, but have you ever worried about your elderly parents living alone or about not having an heir even if you renovate?

For those who feel this way, we would like to introduce the "Housing Earthquake Resistance Seminar," where you can learn about earthquake-proofing homes and municipal subsidy systems related to housing.

What is the "Housing Earthquake Resistance Seminar"?

The "Housing Earthquake Resistance Seminar" is a seminar co-hosted by Okayama Prefecture and local municipalities, which will be held for the first time in the fiscal year 2026 on the following dates.

• Kurashiki Venue: June 29, 2026 (Monday)
  1st Floor, Room 152, Kurashiki City Disaster Prevention and Crisis Management Center
• Okayama Venue: July 6, 2026 (Monday)
  3rd Floor, Fureai Hall, Minami Fureai Center
• Tuyama Venue: July 13, 2026 (Monday)
  4th Floor, Large Conference Room, Tsuyama Comprehensive Welfare Center

The subsidy system targets wooden houses built before May 1981 (Showa 56), but anyone interested in earthquake-proofing their home is welcome to participate.

Please check the image below for details on how to apply.

Interview with Kurashiki City Building Guidance Division

We spoke with Tetsuo Takaya from the Kurashiki City Building Guidance Division, who is in charge of operations at the Kurashiki venue.

This is the first time the "Housing Earthquake Resistance Seminar" is being held this fiscal year. Could you tell us about the purpose and background of the planning?

Takaya (no honorifics)

This seminar is the first attempt co-hosted by Okayama Prefecture and local municipalities.
People from outside Kurashiki City are also welcome to participate.

The main purpose of holding this seminar is to communicate the importance of earthquake-proofing homes to a wide audience.
Another goal is to provide a detailed explanation of the new support menu that started in Okayama Prefecture this fiscal year, called Re-Birth 60 (a reverse mortgage-type interest subsidy system for earthquake-resistant renovations).

Since "Re-Birth 60" is a financial product, it comes with certain risks and complexities. Therefore, we want to take this opportunity to explain it carefully during the seminar and lower the barriers to earthquake-proofing.

What kind of people would you like to attend the seminar?

Takaya

We would like not only those living in old wooden houses built before May 1981 but also their family members (younger generations) who may live elsewhere but have an old family home to attend.

Even if the homeowners find it difficult to take action, hearing about it from their children could be a good opportunity to consider earthquake-proofing.

Additionally, we recommend it to those considering purchasing "used houses."
Currently, the prices of new houses are soaring, but if you can buy an old used house at a low price and carry out renovations such as earthquake-proofing, you might be able to live safely with specifications comparable to new houses while keeping costs down.

This should also serve as a great reference when choosing a home.

Finally, please give a message to the readers.

Takaya

In daily life, I think there are not many opportunities to think about the "earthquake resistance" of your own home or your family home and "future disposal."

Therefore, I hope that you can take this seminar as a good opportunity to think, even casually, "Maybe I should consider my home a little."

This seminar will be held not only at the Kurashiki venue but also at the Okayama and Tsuyama venues.
You are welcome to attend any venue, so please feel free to visit the one that is convenient for you.

Conclusion

Many people in their 40s and 50s may have a family home where their elderly parents live, but do not plan to live there after they pass away. I am one of them.

I also learned about the "Re-Birth 60" system for the first time.
Even if you are currently not eligible for the system, it may be worth attending the seminar as it could become an option in the future.

For the sake of earthquake-proofing your home and ensuring the safety and security of your living environment, why not participate for the sake of your "parents living in the family home"?

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