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B.C. goes on Japan trade mission to pursue new markets for B.C. wood

B.C. delegates embark on the first post-COVID-19 forestry trade mission to Japan, seeking to increase market opportunities, meet with customers and partners, and encourage expanded use of B.C. wood products.

“Japan is a critically important export market for B.C.’s high-quality wood products, and we are excited to engage directly and strengthen relationships with our key customers and trading partners,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests. “Through B.C.’s global leadership and innovation in sustainable forestry and mass timber manufacturing, we have the opportunity to increase exports, given Japan’s focus on green building construction and wood use in public buildings. This will support good, well-paying jobs for people across the province.”

The five-day mission, beginning Sunday, Nov. 6, involves Conroy, forest industry representatives, federal and provincial officials, and Indigenous leaders. They will attend events with the primary objectives of strengthening relationships, identifying new market opportunities, encouraging the use of B.C. wood products, discussing evolving market opportunities and challenges, and increasing awareness of B.C.’s leadership in sustainable and innovative forest product manufacturing and construction practices.

Activities will include:

• touring the Tokyo University of the Arts nail-laminated timber demonstration project, which is the first example of an engineered spruce-pine-fir (SPF) nail-laminated timber floor system commercially adopted in Japan;
• witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Canada Wood and developer Seiwa Corporation on the joint development of tall midply;
• hosting a customer appreciation reception at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo;
• visiting the B.C. Wood Japan office and touring the Log Road Commercial Development, which features extensive use of western red cedar;
• visiting Osaka to talk with customers in the Kansai region;
• meeting with Japanese officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism, and the Japan Forestry Agency; and
• meeting with the co-chairs and executive director of the Japan 2×4 Home Builders Association.

Around the world, organizations are making purchasing decisions that factor in impacts to the environment and communities. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance is important as businesses look to succeed long term in a fast-changing marketplace.

B.C.’s forests are managed sustainably and forest companies are required to replant areas harvested. The province also introduced legislative changes to enhance the role of First Nations in long-term forest planning and decision-making.