Project Case Studies Showcase Non-residential 2×4 Building in Japan

By: Kevin Bews

SPF Manager, Canada Wood Japan

May 4, 2025 Japan Keywords:

As part of our ongoing efforts to expand the use of Canadian wood in Japan’s non-residential construction market, Canada Wood Japan recently completed two case studies highlighting the successful application of 2×4 (Platform Frame Construction) systems in commercial and institutional buildings.

These projects—the Shirakawa Company Office in Gunma Prefecture and the Asahi Nursery School in Aichi Prefecture—demonstrate how 2×4 wood construction can meet the performance, aesthetic, and cost-efficiency demands of Japanese builders and developers.

Strategic Outreach to Industry Decision-Makers

The case studies were developed through in-depth interviews with project owners, architects, and industry professionals, focusing on the advantages of designing and constructing with wood. The stories were then promoted through:

  • Print Media: Published in Kensetsu Tsushin Shimbun, Japan’s leading construction industry daily with a circulation of 320,000. The publication reaches key audiences including construction companies, real estate developers, and property managers—segments critical to increasing wood adoption in non-residential markets.
  • Social Media and Video: Shared on X (formerly Twitter) and featured on the COFI/CW YouTube channel in Japan, helping to expand visibility and drive engagement with new potential wood users.

By leveraging multi-platform outreach, we aimed to raise awareness among specifiers who may be interested in wood construction but are not yet familiar with its full potential in Japan.

Project Highlights

Shirakawa Company Office – Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture

A modern two-storey company office built with Platform Frame Construction, totaling 1,476 m². The walls use Canadian Douglas-fir dimension lumber, and the floors and roof trusses were manufactured with SPF Canadian dimension lumber.

Asahi Nursery School – Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture

A two-storey nursery school and kindergarten facility totaling 1,790 m². The building utilizes SPF Canadian dimension lumber for both its wall framing and nail plate truss roofing system.

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