Under the current Japanese building code (Building Standard Law: BSL), fire resistive structures are required in all midrise buildings (exceeding 16 m in height or 4 storeys or more). The common method of making wooden structures fire… more
The “Green Book” is the PFC structural calculation manual published by Japan 2×4 Home Builders Association. The Green Book is a key publication that the local building officials should refer to when they issue the building… more
I recently had the opportunity to travel in Hokkaido to conduct market research on the possibility of Douglas Fir Larch J-Grade in Japan. With market research consultant Mr. Iida, I visited nine companies between July 23rd and 25th. Over… more
Between January and June, wooden non-residential starts totaled 9,056 units representing a total of 1,666,012m2 of total floor area. Translated into forest products demand, non-residential wood consumption is roughly estimated at just… more
Overall housing market activity is showing signs of slowing over the second quarter. June total housing starts fell 7.1% to 81,275 units for the third consecutive monthly decline. The “mansion” condominium starts fell 36.2%, weighing… more
On August 21st we took the opportunity at our COFI Shippers Meeting to present our Fumoto san with a Certificate of Appreciation for 20 years of service. Fumoto san has played a pivotal role on numerous technical initiatives and has… more
On June 21st, Canada Wood’s Shawn Lawlor delivered a guest lecture to 75 architecture program students at the Showa Women’s University in Tokyo. The event was in collaboration with the Japan 2×4 Home Builders Association. In my… more
Total May housing starts fell 1.3% to 79,539 units. The declines were uneven based on markets and building types. The mansion condominium market posted the strongest results with a 20.7% increase. Wooden starts fell 3.0% to 43,399 units…. more
In recent economic news Japan continues to forge ahead with free trade and has formally approved gambling resorts. On the trade front, CPTPP negotiators met in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture in July to expedite implementation of the… more
While most people in Korea live in apartments, transactions of detached single family houses have increased every year since the 2010’s.
According to house transactions by housing type surveyed by the Korea Appraisal Board, transactions… more
The Advanced Technology Construction Training (ATCT) in its 14th year was held in Chilliwack, BC, Canada, from July 3 to 13, 2018 for 18 participants from Korea – 5 designers and architects, 10 builders and contractors, 1 building… more
Seismic design requirements were introduced for the first time in Korea in 1988 for buildings 6 storeys and higher or total floor area 100,000m2 and larger. The latest major revision was made in 2005 requiring building structures 3 storeys… more
BC softwood lumber export volume to South Korea for the first five months of 2018 decreased 20.3% to 99,261 cubic meters as compared to 124,495 cubic meters for the same period of 2017.
This significant decrease comes from continuously… more
Due to the ongoing government intervention to curb rising house prices and cool down the overheated housing market, South Korea’s housing starts in number of buildings for the first five months of 2018 decreased 15.5% to 35,591 buildings… more
South Korean economy expanded 3.1% last year and is expected to grow 2.9% this year. The country’s facility investment is expected to increase 1.5% this year, sharply slowing down from last year’s 14.6% on-year rise. Construction… more
Recently Kevin Bews (COFI, SPF Group) and I had the opportunity to visit a 1-storey non-residential platform-frame construction site in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture. Once completed, a Tokyo-based shoe design and manufacturing company… more
2018 Q2 highlights:
China has posted its Q2 GDP growth of 6.7%, slightly lower than 6.8 percent in Q1 of 2018. Tighter financial conditions (such as authorities continue to demolish on shadow banking and back up financial deleveraging)… more
It is probably every marketing director’s dream to see their promotional content going viral on social media platforms or create a ripple effect with the contents reaching a group of selected audience and their immediate circle… more
For the first time, Rugao Port of Jiangsu Province imported a total of 300 tons Canadian wood valued at US$121,000 on June 22.
The Canadian lumber has been transferred to a new and expanding wood industry park, which improves logistics and… more
China’s cabinet has released a three-year action plan on air pollution control, solidifying a timetable and road map for improving air quality.
Economic, legal, technological, and administrative means will be adopted in a… more
