Earthquake response of multi-story reinforced concrete moment resisting frames are calculated considering the deformation of the beam-column joints modeled with rigid panels, uniaxial springs for concrete, steel and bond-slip representing the non-linear coupling of moments, axial forces and shear in members framing into the joint. The variation of the frames includes the column-to-beam strength ratio and the joint hoop reinforcement ratio which are neglected in the current design practice in Japan as structural design criteria affecting the seismic safety. Five synthesized base motions conformed to maximum considered design spectrum and five observed base motions are used. It is revealed that the design parameters of beam-column joint have significant influences. Particularly, the maximum story drift ratio significantly exceeds the current design criteria due to concentration of lateral deflection in some cases due to beam-column joint deformation caused by the mechanism known as joint hinging.