The scandal surrounding falsified earthquake safety data that we first reported in late November has now widened to include nearly 90 buildings throughout Japan.

Thirty-Nine hotels have been shut down nationwide as a direct result of the falsified earthquake safety reports created by architect Hidetsugu Aneha.

Some owners have decided to tear down affected buildings rather than bring them up to code. The 162 room Meitetsu Inn Kariya in Kariya is being dismantled as well as at least one condominium.

The revelations about Aneha’s faulty work have lead to building safety concern throughout Japan. Aneha filed reports in the construction of hotels and condominiums. There has been some fear that the scandal could impact Japan’s real estate market. However, Tadashi Matsuda of the Real Estate Economic Institute Co., recently suggested to the Japan Times that the worst may be over:

“We’re assuming other developers will not turn out to have been involved in fudging quake-proof data,” he said. “A few more companies may turn up guilty. But I believe we’ve seen the worst.”

• Razing of Aneha buildings begins
• Aneha scam making buyers wary, for now