MWIA FAMILIARIZATION PROGRAMME IN JAPAN: RESOURCE & GLOBAL INDUSTRY INSIGHT
The program was held from 26th Nov till 6th Dec 2024 with visits to sawmills in Japan, on their research in forest products especially their seismic testing against earthquake, log auction yard and viewed the production of sake barrel without using glue and nails from Japan plantation timber species.
As part of the objective of the program, the delegation also participated in the annual International Tropical Timber Organization meeting as well as the ITTO Trade Advisory Group meeting with the intention to keep the members abreast with the latest development in the tropical timber market.
Thru the program, the participants were able to identify potential source of plantation timber species such as Sugi and Cypress from Japan, the use of mechanization in the sawmilling sector, their workers attitude as well as interaction with the ITTO participants from both the suppliers and consumers countries of tropical timber.
MWIA delegation also visited the Port Plus, Japan's first high-rise wooden fireproof building in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. All of the above-ground structural members (columns, beams, floors, and walls) are made of wood from Japan plantation species, and the building is the tallest in Japan at 44 m (11 stories). The building utilizes mass-timber construction (Cross laminated timber& laminated veneer lumber), where thick, compressed layers of wood create strong, load-bearing elements. The design emphasizes the use of renewable materials, showcasing wood's potential as a primary material in high-rise architecture.
