The present paper presents an approach to developing a reliability-based vulnerability model for the assessment of typhoon induced wind risk of residential buildings in Japan. Following the approach, a provisional version of vulnerability model is developed with information available. By examining the model, it is found that the resistance of roof tile and the correlation of trajectories of flying debris play a significant role on the vulnerability. Critical assumptions made in the modeling, which requires further investigation and thus concerns the updating of the vulnerability model, are discussed and identified. Thereby, further research directions toward a more precise vulnerability model are addressed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.