CTED housing specialist Steve Corless relocated to Tokyo in April. He had maintained a small office in Kobe since August 1995 to assist Hyogo prefecture with housing reconstruction following the earthquake earlier that year. Steve is now back in the Washington State office in Toranomon, Tokyo.

CTED has published a 120 page manual on carpentry and rough framing in Japanese. The book was written by Scot Simpson, of S and S Framing, Seattle. It is a useful technology transfer tool, utilizing extensive graphic illustrations to highlight framing details. The manual is available for $20 or 2000 yen per copy. Contact Mark Calhoon or Steve Corless for copies.

A new Japanese language newspaper was launched in March. The 20 page newspaper featured articles and news on Washington State housing and building materials exports to Japan. Distribution of the 15,000 copies began at the US Housing Fair in Tokyo last March and the Good Living Show in April. All US consulates and regional JETRO offices in Japan have received copies as well as the major housing industry associations. Over 30 local companies ran advertising in the paper. Copies are available from Mark Calhoon. A second issue of the newspaper will be produced this fall.

See accompanying program matrix and registration form for further details on participation.

Korea Housing Market News

Housing starts in 1996 were 592,132 units, with about 80 percent high rise apartments. Public sector housing accounted for 232,285 units.

The Korea National Housing Corporation has agreed to use door and window frames made of softwood lumber for some of the 60,000 new units it constructs annually. Tropical hardwood lumber has historically been the primary material for wood windows over the past 30 years. The market for wood doors and windows is estimated at $250 million annually.

Imports of packaged wood homes from the US for the first two months of 1997 more than doubled to $2.2 million.

Exports of wood building materials from Washington State to Korea in 1996 totaled $13 million. Washington State exports were led by prefabricated houses, furniture, doors and flooring. See table on page 2.

Source: AF&PA Seoul Office and CINTRAFOR

Kyuanghyang Housing Fair

Washington State coordinated an 8 booth pavilion at the Seoul fair in late February. Participating companies included Saris Building Corporation, Pacific Housing Materials and Design, Tradewind Homes, Green Crow, DeWils Cabinets, Canyon Creek Cabinets, Far West Homes, BMCI and Trinity Glass. The 6 day show from February 22 - 27, attracted over 300,000 attendees. Washington State and the American Forest and Paper Association hosted a 4 hour seminar on February 25th at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul. Over 200 builders, architects and materials importers attended the seminar and reception. Presentations from Washington State companies were featured during the seminar. Recruiting has begun for the February 1998 Kyuanghyang Housing Fair. A new Korean language company directory of Washington State exporters will be produced this fall for distribution at the 1998 show.

See accompanying program matrix and registration form for further details on participation.

Korea Market Report

A report is available to interested companies on the Korean economy and housing market. This was compiled from information supplied by the US Department of Commerce, the American Forest & Paper Association and other sources. Contact Mark Calhoon for a copy of this report.