For the first time in a very long time, BC Wood organized a formal industry mission to Japan. This was based on requests from members to have targeted and more intimate B2B networking sessions as a supplement to our major trade show events. As a response to the ongoing challenges in the industry, Forestry Innovation Investment provided funding for two such missions to Japan this fiscal year, this fall one focusing on lumber related products and one in February that will target the resort sector, as well as one in Korea.

This fall mission kicked off at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo as a part of Minister Parmar’s trip to Japan. The Minister opened the event by expressing appreciation to the Japanese buyers for their continued support, while also reassuring them that both the Government of British Columbia and the value-added industry were committed to this market for the long-term. The main part of the event was the eight match-making meetings pre-scheduled individually for each participating member, during which time Minister Parmar interacted with the buyers waiting for their meetings. Seven BC Wood members took part in this program and on the Japanese side we had 33 people.

The next morning, our delegation moved to Nagoya. The first stop was at a large lumber distributor to learn about their business and gain market intelligence. From there, the group returned to Nagoya Station where BC Wood rented a conference room for another B2B networking event. This schedule was then repeated in Osaka the next day. Through these three speed-dating sessions, the participating members were able to each meet between 21 to 24 targeted buyers. The mission then wrapped up with site visits to a home center and show home park in Osaka as well as customers visits in Tokyo and a tour of the Tokyo Lumber Terminal.

This format proved to be successful and appreciated by the members as they were able to meet leading companies in all three of Japan’s major markets. Our Japanese clients were also grateful for these events as they have a lot of questions about supply under the current circumstances. We look forward building on what we learned and delivering even more valuable programs targeting the Japanese resort market with architectural products as well as the Korean construction market this coming February. For more information on these upcoming missions, please contact Jim Ivanoff (ivanoff@bcwood.jp).