The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism recently released to the public “Summary of Reconstruction Conditions by Housing Starts Statistics” for fiscal 2010. The number of homes demolished for the purpose of reconstruction totaled 71,660 units (69,560 units in the previous year), and on the vacated land, the number of reconstructed homes increased 1.27 times prior to the demolition totaling 91,353 units (89,753 units in the previous year). Among the reconstructed homes, wooden homes slightly increased compared to the previous year to 45,425 units (45,134 units). Looking at the types of users of the demolished homes, owner-occupied homes totaled 53,145 units, rented homes totaled 17,464 units, and company-employee housing totaled 1,051 units with owner-occupied homes accounting for 74.2% of the overall total. On the other hand, among the reconstructed homes, owner-occupied homes decreased by 5,553 units prior to the demolition to a total of 47,592 units. However, rented homes increased 2.2 times prior to the demolition to 38,048 units. The number of owner-occupied homes that were reconstructed on locations that were also owner-occupied homes prior to the demolition totaled 47,039 units, and the number of rented homes that were reconstructed on locations that were also rented homes prior to the demolition totaled 19,476 units. In general, the trend of owner-occupied homes decreasing and rented homes increasing due to reconstruction is continuing. In 2010, the percentage of reconstructed homes (reconstruction rate) among the total number of new housing starts (819,020 units) was 11.2 % (0.4 pint decrease compared to the previous year).
Chugoku Mokuzai Co., Ltd. had an increase in revenue and profits for its business results for the term ending in June 2011 with net sales of 62.27600 billion yen (7.1% increase compared to the previous term), ordinary income of 3.42600 billion yen (253.6% increase), and net profit of 1.52200 billion yen (33.6% increase). Because of a change to stability in costs in the conditions for purchasing North American logs for the term, the major product of dried lumber, "dry beams", used as structural material for housing attained a dominant position in terms of costs over laminated lumber. Due to this change, sales to construction firms expanded greatly contributing to the growth in net sales. In addition, the Kashima Factory (Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture) was damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake and had operations suspended, but with the main factory running full operations, supplying capabilities were insured, which also contributed to increased sales. For the term, the amount of consumed North American logs totaled 1.7480 million m³ (0.3% increase compared to the previous term), and the amount of sold products totaled 1.1020 million m³ (4.5% increase).
From October 1, Minato Ward in Tokyo began “Minato Model CO2 Fixation Certification System,” a system that requires buildings constructed with a total floor area of 5,000 m² and over to use a fixed amount of lumber. By promoting the use of lumber in Minato, the system works to increase the amount of CO2 absorption by promoting forest maintenance and management and increasing the amount of CO2 fixation, so it contributes to the prevention of global warming. Building owners who are intending to build a floor area of 5,000 m² and over in Minato are requested to consult with the Minato Model CO2 Fixation Certification System Office before applying for a building permit. Concerning the lumber to be used, 32 self-governing bodies (as of July 2011) made an agreement and will be in charge of supplying the “agreed upon lumber.” Minato Ward will certify the amount of CO2 fixation corresponding to the amount of targeted lumber to be used and will issue certifications. |
