Breaking Free from 'Import Dependency': First-Ever Domestic 2x4 Lumber Utilization Initiative in Rental Housing Sector / MAFF, Tokent Corporation, et al.

## A Landmark Agreement for the Rental Housing Sector

On May 22, 2026, in the presence of Forestry Agency Commissioner Zentaro Kosaka, a ceremony was held to celebrate the conclusion of a 'Building Wood Utilization Promotion Agreement.' This agreement was formed by four key parties: the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tokent Corporation, Kyowa Mokuzai Co., Ltd., and Dairi FPC Co., Ltd. This is the first initiative of its kind in the rental apartment and condominium sector to systematically and continuously promote the use of domestic timber. The project sets an ambitious goal of utilizing 30,000 cubic meters of domestic wood over three years, aiming to contribute significantly to forestry revitalization, regional revitalization, and the realization of a decarbonized society.

## Risks of Import Dependency and Building a Self-Reliant Supply Chain

In recent years, the 'Wood Shock,' triggered by global surges in timber demand and logistical bottlenecks, served as a major wake-up call for the housing industry. Structural materials for 2x4 construction were heavily dependent on North American imports, making them vulnerable to fluctuations in overseas markets, currency exchange rates, and international shipping. This dependency posed a direct risk to construction costs and schedules for wooden rental housing, highlighting the need for a stable domestic supply.

In response, Tokent Corporation initiated the development of a 'self-reliant domestic supply chain' immune to overseas volatility. Through collaboration with Kyowa Mokuzai and Dairi FPC, the company has successfully developed a supply system for domestic cedar 2x4 lumber. This agreement is more than a mere switch in suppliers; it establishes a new supply model that incorporates domestic timber continuously and systematically into a market that previously relied entirely on imports.

## Technological Breakthroughs in Domestic Wide-Format 2x4 Lumber

Historically, wide-format lumber such as '2x8' or '2x12,' frequently used in 2x4 construction, was difficult to source reliably from domestic supplies due to the scarcity of large-diameter logs, challenges in moisture management, and a lack of specialized processing equipment. However, Kyowa Mokuzai and Dairi FPC have overcome these barriers through technical innovation. Notably, Dairi FPC, leveraging 15 years of research in Tokushima Prefecture, has established a mass-production system for 5-meter wide-format lumber, integrating harvesting, sawmilling, and advanced drying technologies. This rare domestic production system serves as a model for utilizing large-diameter timber and is expected to influence the wider industry.

## Wider Impacts on Society and Sustainability

The target of 30,000m3 of domestic wood usage corresponds to approximately 1,200 40-tsubo wooden homes, equivalent to 667 large trailers. This scale allows for the construction of entire new towns using only domestic timber. This effort extends beyond simple procurement; it promotes the healthy circulation of forestry resources, leverages the carbon sequestration properties of wood to accelerate decarbonization, and reduces the environmental footprint associated with international transportation. Tokent Corporation is committed to establishing this as a 'new standard for domestic timber usage,' fulfilling its role as a leading company in creating a sustainable wood supply chain that encompasses forestry, sawmilling, and logistics.