HAPROT’s “Safe and Sustainable Housing Project” Selected for Japan’s Next-Generation Housing Project 2025

HAPROT Inc., based in Hiroshima Prefecture and led by Takaharu Mitsumoto, announced that its proposed “Safe and Sustainable Housing Project” has been selected for Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism subsidy program, the “Next-Generation Housing Project 2025.” The project uses “Safe and Sustainable Performance,” a residential environment assessment standard designed from the professional perspective of occupational therapists. It aims to prevent falls and fall-related accidents that frequently occur inside homes, while promoting housing that can flexibly adapt to aging, lifestyle changes, and shifts in family composition. The Next-Generation Housing Project is a government support program for the housing sector, designed to back pioneering initiatives that address social issues related to housing and residential life. Proposals are selected through a review by academic experts and others, based on criteria such as innovativeness and social significance. “Safe and Sustainable Performance” is HAPROT’s proprietary 13-item standard for evaluating homes from two perspectives: safety, meaning a residential environment that reduces the risk of in-home accidents such as falls; and sustainability, meaning a residential environment that can respond to changes in physical function, lifestyle, and family structure. Through the project, HAPROT will collaborate with builders across Japan to develop new and renovated homes incorporating Safe and Sustainable Performance. The company will also conduct resident surveys and monitor indoor temperature and humidity, analyzing links with lifestyle habits, safety, comfort, and health conditions. The analysis will be carried out with advice from university researchers, integrating data on residential environments and health status. Key points recognized in the review included the project’s new housing design concept that incorporates universal accessibility, its use of medical expertise from occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals to improve housing safety, and its potential impact on the housing industry by visualizing safety performance. This visualization is expected to improve builders’ knowledge and raise safety awareness among homebuyers and residents. HAPROT said it will use the project to promote residential environments that take safety into account from the earliest stages of housing design, combining medical expertise with the housing sector to create homes where everyone, from children to older adults, can continue living with peace of mind.