NEW! Compliance and Legal Foundations

■Course Content■

【１】What Compliance Is

This session clearly explains the meaning of "Compliance," which includes not only obeying the law but also adhering to social rules and responsibilities toward stakeholders. We will examine the risks of corporate scandals and loss of trust using real-life examples and learn about the social responsibility architects must fulfill.

【２】Why Compliance Violations Occur

We will examine the causes of violations, such as lack of knowledge, negligence, and external pressure. We will specifically focus on areas where "the failure to provide explanations" is prone to occur and discuss how architects, as professionals, could prevent these issues.

【３】Understanding the Basic Structure of the Law

This session clearly explains the hierarchical structure of the Japanese legal system, from the Constitution down to Acts, Cabinet Orders, Ministerial Ordinances, and local Ordinances. Using the Building Standards Act as an example, we will learn the difference between Enforcement Orders and Enforcement Regulations as well as Permission and Certification.

【４】Designer's Liability Based on the Civil Code

This video clearly explains the "Designer's Liability Based on Contract," which is "Civil Liability".Based on the premise that the design contract is a "Quasi-Mandate Contract," we will deepen our understanding of the Duty of Due Care, Duty to Explain, and Duty to Collect Information and Investigate.

【５】Architects' Act and Administrative Dispositions

We will detail the types of administrative sanctions under the Architects' Act (such as license revocation, suspension of practice, and reprimand) and their individual ranking criteria. We will also examine administrative sanctions against architectural firms and real-life examples to understand the magnitude of their social impact.

【６】The Building Standards Act and Criminal Penalties

This video clearly explains the two types of an architect's Criminal Liability: Criminal Penalties based on Architecture-Related Acts and Criminal Penalties based on the Penal Code. Furthermore, we will deepen our understanding of the consequences of unlicensed work, violation of earthquake-resistance standards, and unethical conduct (fines or imprisonment), and the line that a professional must never cross to protect their trust and career.

【７】The Mindset Required of an Architect

We will reconfirm that observing compliance is the foundation of an architect's trust. We will reflect on how violations arise from a lack of knowledge or a disregard for the duty to explain, and summarize the importance of a mindset focused on honesty and accountability.

Main Course

English Course

Basic Architecture