1. A Transition Period to a Quieter Society: Legal Frameworks Evolve in 2025#
Japan’s soundproofing and noise control legal frameworks are entering a critical transition period in 2025.
Building on regulations previously established at local government levels—such as “noise control ordinances” and “building sound insulation performance standards”—a “Residential Environmental Noise Standards Revision Proposal” being jointly promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the Ministry of the Environment has reached its final stages of deliberation.
This shift is driven by the diversification of residential noise resulting from the increase in remote work, content creation, and 24-hour residential activities.
Previous regulations primarily addressed industrial and traffic noise, but current concerns center on “household sounds” and “impact noise in multi-family housing”—issues directly affecting personal living environments.
In other words, the focus of legislation is transitioning from “industrial noise” to “residential noise.”
2. Revision of the Noise Regulation Act: How to Address Residential Noise#
In March 2025, the Ministry of the Environment announced a “Partial Amendment to the Noise Regulation Act Enforcement Order.”
This amendment will formally clarify a “recommendations system for residential noise” for the first time.
The key points of this revision are as follows:
Administrative intervention in residential noise becomes possible
While previously only factories, business establishments, and construction sites were subject to regulation, the revised law will extend guidance and advice to cover “significant residential noise.”Review of numerical standards
Current environmental standards of “55dB during daytime and 45dB during nighttime” are expected to be adjusted by ±5dB to better reflect urban conditions.Transparency in complaint handling
Local governments are being encouraged to establish “residential noise consultation centers,” with efforts underway to consolidate measurement, mediation, and recommendations into a unified system.
This development will likely provide institutional support for the private soundproofing market, including soundproof rooms and sound-insulated rental properties.
3. Building Standards Act Amendment: Toward “Mandatory” Sound Insulation Performance#
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) is moving forward with plans to include building sound insulation ratings (D-values) in performance display requirements, in conjunction with the “Energy Efficiency Standards Mandate” scheduled to take effect in April 2025.
Sound insulation performance, previously optional, will be upgraded to a “residential performance” indicator alongside “structural strength, thermal insulation, and energy efficiency.”
The new performance display system is expected to include the following items:
| Item | New Standard Value (Proposed) | Target Buildings |
|---|---|---|
| Airborne Sound Insulation Performance (D-value) | D-45 or higher | Apartment buildings and multi-family housing |
| Impact Sound Insulation Performance (L-value) | L-60 or lower | Residential buildings with stacked floor structures |
| Window Opening Sound Insulation Performance | D-40 or higher | Window and sash portions |
As a result, soundproofing performance is expected to become “normalized” from the design phase onward for new apartments and rental housing.
Indeed, soundproof rental brands such as Re:Brand and Musicien already offer D-60 to D-80 class performance as standard specifications.
4. Market Impact: The Era When Soundproofing Becomes “Standard Equipment”#
Regulatory changes directly affect the market. Significant changes are anticipated, particularly in the following three sectors:
Construction Industry
As sound insulation design becomes mandatory, architects and building engineers will increasingly need acoustic design expertise.
Discussion has already begun on establishing a new “Acoustic Design Architect” credential system.Real Estate Market
With “sound-insulated residential properties” becoming a clearly defined added value, soundproof rental and soundproof condominium properties are expected to command a price premium of +10–15%.Individual Users and Creator Communities
With strengthened noise regulations, demand for personal soundproofing solutions (unit soundproof rooms and portable booths) is expected to continue expanding.
Particularly, the market for “portable soundproof booths (¥100,000–200,000)” aimed at remote broadcasters and teleworkers is experiencing rapid growth.
5. International Comparison: EU and US Soundproofing Standards vs. Japan#
In the European Union, under the residential performance assessment system (EN ISO 717-1), collective housing is held to a standard of D-50 or higher.
In Japan, equivalent sound insulation performance is classified as “high-end soundproofed housing.”
In other words, in Japan, “quietness” is still positioned as a “luxury commodity.”
Through regulatory reform, this value perception is expected to shift, with “quietness” increasingly recognized and legally guaranteed as part of “safety and health.”
6. Conclusion: From “Environmental Standards” to “Living Standards”#
The evolution of soundproofing regulations extends beyond mere residential performance improvements.
It represents the beginning of treating “quietness” as a social infrastructure.
The 2025 regulatory revisions are expected to elevate soundproof rooms and sound-insulated rentals from “special options” to “standard living essentials”—marking a watershed moment in the soundproofing industry when regulation has finally caught up with market needs.
Reference Websites#
e-Gov Legal Search: “Noise Regulation Act”
Japan’s official government legal search site where you can directly confirm the current provisions of the “Noise Regulation Act.” Amendment histories and links to related ordinances and ministerial rules are also listed.
→ Noise Regulation Act | e-Gov Legal Search e-GovMinistry of the Environment: Environmental Standards for Noise (and Related Manuals)
Reference materials systematically presenting environmental standards defined by the Ministry of the Environment (noise levels to be maintained for living environments, etc.), including measurement methods, standard values, and regional classifications.
→ Environmental Standards for Noise Ministry of the Environment
→ Evaluation Manual for Environmental Standards Concerning Noise Ministry of the EnvironmentMLIT Public Notice: “Structural Methods for Sound Insulation Walls in Townhouses and Multi-Family Housing”
A public notice related to the Building Standards Act (Section 30) that sets forth specific technical standards for sound insulation structures in townhouse and multi-family housing partition walls.
→ Structural Methods for Sound Insulation Walls in Townhouses and Multi-Family Housing (PDF) MLITTokyo Metropolitan Environmental Bureau: Simple Table of Noise and Vibration Regulations for Construction Work
A reference organizing permissible noise levels by specific construction machinery and work categories, allowing on-site confirmation of limits for “pile driving, excavation, heavy machinery use,” etc.
→ Noise and Vibration Regulations for Construction Work: Simple Table Tokyo Metropolitan GovernmentInternational and Academic Materials: Japan Architectural Institute “Building and Room-Use-Specific Performance Standards (Sound Insulation Design Guidelines)”
Beyond laws and ordinances, reviewing academic materials that indicate technical standards and design guidance deepens article content. This reference includes practical benchmarks and design methods related to sound insulation performance.
→ Japan Architectural Institute “Building and Room-Use-Specific Performance Standards” i-kankyo.com