일본의 온천법과 온천문화

Abstract

Japan enacted the Hot Springs Act in 1948. This legislation was 33 years ahead of Korea’s. Japan's hot spring law falls under the category of environmental law. There are the Hot Springs Act Enforcement Decree and the Hot Springs Act Enforcement Rules under the Hot Springs Act and the Natural Environment Conservation Act as a related law. Comparing the purpose of the hot spring law between Korea and Japan, it has the same concept of protecting hot springs and promoting public welfare. What's interesting is that the Korean Hot Springs Act adds the phrase 'regional economic revitalization.' In other words, the purpose of the enactment of the Korean Hot Springs Act was not to ignore the economic hardships of revitalizing the local economy in relation to the development and licensing of hot springs. Moreover, this can be inferred from the fact that Korea had the purpose of enacting laws in terms of facility management of hot springs called the "Electric Safety Management Act." When comparing the definition of hot springs, Korea recognizes hot springs as water with temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius, but Japan includes temperatures below 25 degrees Celsius in their definition. The Japanese definition is different from Korea in defining the use of cold mineral springs. Also, under Japan's Hot Springs Act, even steam and gas are considered as hot springs if the conditions are met. Boyang Hot Springs in Korea and Japan are very different in terms of their designation. In terms of the main ingredients, the Korean standard corresponds to the standard of regular hot springs in Japan, and the items are too simplified. Moreover, Japan mandates the placement of hot spring specialists or affiliated hot spring guides, but Korea is only at the level of recommending the placement of facility workers who have received four hours of training per year. In the end, it should be seen as a problem arising from the differences between the designation of health hot springs in Korea in terms of "economic revitalization" and in Japan as "treatment purposes."