Japan trade mission features remodeling

During the week of June 22, a group of nine US and Japanese wholesalers of US products participated in EBPA and the State of Washington's Japan Trade Mission to Tokyo, Saitama, and Nagoya.

Companies were featured in seminars in Tokyo, Saitama, and Nagoya that discussed US product applications in new and remodeled housing. Mission members also participated in seminars and displays at the Tokyo Home Remodeled Home Show and in roundtable discussions and receptions with JERCO, Japan's largest association of remodelers, and with members of the Imported Building Materials Forum, the Imported Housing Industry Organization (association of builders), and the Imported Building Materials Association.

Craig Webb, Editor in Chief of the US publication, Remodeling magazine, was the keynote speaker for the seminars. He presented information about remodeling trends in the US, most popular projects, and return on investment for various home improvements.

These presentations were well received and attracted some of the largest audiences during the last several years. The Government of Japan has pledged to increase the size of the remodeling market to $80 billion in 2015 to $220 billion by 2020. This will be achieved by eliminating some transaction taxes, tax rebates, and other rebates for improvements to energy efficiency, earthquake resistance, and accessibility.

The mission was featured in Remodeling magazine's website, and total attendance of the meetings and seminars reached 301. The next Japan mission will be held April 18-22, 2016 in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Osaka, and will include seminars, roundtable discussions, and receptions with builder and importer associations.