オフィスビル 官民で災害に強い都市目指せ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 20, 2012)
New Tokyo office buildings should be disaster-resistant
オフィスビル　官民で災害に強い都市目指せ（7月19日付・読売社説）

Strengthening functions of office buildings in Tokyo can also help the nation revive its economy. Tokyo is urged to restore its status, as major cities in other Asian countries are gaining competitive edges against it.
　東京のオフィス機能を強化することは、日本経済の再生につながる。アジア諸都市に押され気味のＴＯＫＹＯの復権が期待されよう。

Central Tokyo has seen the opening of a number of major office buildings in recent months.
　都心で大規模なオフィスビルの開業が相次いでいる。

Among others, DiverCity Tokyo in Koto Ward, Shibuya Hikarie next to Shibuya Station and East Tower at the foot of Tokyo Skytree in Sumida Ward have become popular among sightseers who are attracted to the complexes' commercial facilities.
　ダイバーシティ東京、渋谷ヒカリエ、東京スカイツリー脇のイーストタワーなどは、併設する商業施設とともに観光スポットとして人気を集めている。

Not a few of these newly opened buildings may become landmarks of their business districts, with JP Tower as an example. Built on the site of the historic Tokyo Central Post Office across the street from JR Tokyo Station, the high-rise was partially opened earlier this week.
　東京駅前の旧東京中央郵便局跡に今週、一部オープンしたＪＰタワーなど、ビジネス街の顔となりそうな注目物件も少なくない。

According to a real estate industry estimate, the total floor space in large-scale buildings to become available this year in Tokyo's 23 wards will be about 1.8 million square meters--equivalent to the footprint of 38 Tokyo Domes. This marks the highest level since 2003, when the Roppongi Hills complex in Minato Ward was opened.
　業界推計では、２３区内で今年供給される大型ビルの延べ床面積は東京ドーム３８個分の約１８０万平方メートルに上る。六本木ヒルズが開業した２００３年以来の水準だ。

The latest building boom is marked by high-rises created by the renovation or replacement of older structures in efforts to redevelop the capital's central districts, such as Marunouchi, Shibuya and Shinjuku.
　今回の大型物件ラッシュの特徴は、丸の内・渋谷・新宿など都内中心部の再開発に伴う老朽ビルの建て替えや高層化である。テナント側のビル選定基準が変化していることも見逃せない。

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Tenants' priorities changing

It should be noted that today's tenants have different standards in choosing the buildings they pay rent for.

Companies looking for office space used to focus on where buildings were located and how convenient they were. Nowadays, more and more firms are paying increased attention to whether a building would allow them to continue their business operations in the event of a disaster, considering such factors as its degree of earthquake resistance and whether it has an emergency power supply.
　これまでは立地や利便性が中心だったが、ビルの耐震機能や非常用電源の設置など、災害時でも業務を継続できるかどうかを重視する企業が増えている。

Last year's Great East Japan Earthquake encouraged many companies to put a higher priority on preparing for a possible quake that could directly hit Tokyo.
　東日本大震災を受けて、首都直下地震への備えを最優先に考えざるを得なくなったためだろう。

The real estate industry has been implementing disaster management measures, such as equipping newly constructed buildings with high-tech systems to inform tenants of the degree of damage sustained in an earthquake.
　不動産業界は、地震時に被災状況を把握できるシステムを新型ビルに導入するなど防災対策を進めている。

It is important for the industry to further strengthen its efforts to make office buildings safer.
今後も安全面の取り組みを強化することが大切だ。

Considering the possibility of power shortages in the medium to long term, it is also vital for office buildings to work on energy measures, such as enhancing energy efficiency and diversifying power sources.
　中長期的な電力不足を想定し、省エネや電源分散化など、エネルギー対策も欠かせない。

As the number of high-rise office buildings increase and more and more people work in them, it will become more important than ever for business districts to be prepared for a disaster.
　大勢の人が働く高層オフィスが増えれば、従来以上にビジネス街の災害対策は重要となる。

Companies renting different buildings should work together to come up with plans to respond to a disaster, including ways to help people who are unable to return home.
複数のビルの入居企業が連携して帰宅困難者対策などを講じるべきだ。

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Excessive supply negative factor

It is a cause for concern, however, that a glut of office space could harm the real estate market. The vacancy rate of these rooms remains high due to sluggish demand, causing rents to fall over a prolonged period. Some brand-new buildings even find it difficult to reach full occupancy.
　懸念されるのは、オフィスが一時期に集中して供給されることで不動産市況が悪化しかねない問題だ。オフィス需要の伸び悩みで空室率は高止まりし、賃料の長期下落傾向が続く。完成間近でもテナントが埋まらない物件もある。

Therefore, there is serious worry about a "Year 2012 Problem" for the real estate industry.
　「不動産業界の２０１２年問題」と警戒する声は根強い。

A growing gap between supply and demand in office space could put downward pressure on land prices, negatively influencing the economy. The government, therefore, should keep an eye on the real estate market.
　需給ギャップ拡大は地価の下押し圧力となり、経済への悪影響が気がかりだ。政府は不動産市況を注視しなければならない。

In March, the Tokyo metropolitan government compiled a basic strategy to promote local industry, which stipulates that it should help foreign companies settle in the capital.
　都は３月に策定した産業振興基本戦略に「外国企業の定着」を掲げた。海外投資家が日本の不動産への投資を再開する動きもある。

Overseas investors have resumed pouring money into Japanese real estate. The metropolitan government should become more aggressive in promoting foreign investment, which will also help narrow the supply-and-demand gap for office space.
オフィス需給を改善するためにも外資誘致を積極化すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 19, 2012)
（2012年7月19日01時26分 読売新聞）