Timber Construction Finds New Ground in Mid-Rise Buildings

Mid-rise buildings using timber frames are spreading beyond Japan's major cities into regional areas. More and more shops and office buildings are being constructed using wood.

Also known as "moku-biru" — from mokuzo (wooden construction) and biru (building) — the trend is seen as a way to boost domestic wood use and revitalize local communities through forestry and related industries. Advances in seismic resistance and fireproofing have made timber construction increasingly viable, bringing visible change to urban landscapes long dominated by reinforced concrete and steel.

Cutting Costs and Construction Time

In Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, construction is underway on a five-story wooden building tentatively named the Kamikawabata Building. Set to house retail space, the interior is filled with the scent of wood, creating a calm, welcoming atmosphere for visitors.

The building uses a construction method developed by New Constructor's Network, a Tokyo-based structural design firm, that enhances strength while meeting Japan's seismic standards.

The building was designed and constructed by FDM, a company based in Oita City. According to FDM, the structure's lighter weight compared with steel-frame buildings offered advantages during construction.

Company president Jun Takakura said, "Compared with steel construction, we were able to reduce costs and shorten the construction period. From a business standpoint, wooden construction is becoming a realistic option [for mid-rise buildings]." The building is also expected to store about 50 tons of carbon dioxide in a stable form.

Trademarking 'Moku-Biru'

In Hiroshima City, a five-story wooden-frame building known as the Jinninn Clinic was completed in October 2025 near JR Hiroshima Station. Designed and built by Shimokishi Corporation of Hiroshima, the building uses fire-resistant wooden materials developed by Shelter, a Yamagata-based company, that have passed fire performance tests conducted by Japan's infrastructure ministry.

*The five-story timber-frame Jinninn Clinic built in Hiroshima City. (Courtesy of ViBRA photo)*

Located along a major thoroughfare near the station, the wood-focused exterior adds a distinctive touch to the cityscape. Shelter has trademarked the name "moku-biru" for mid- to high-rise wooden buildings constructed using its technology.

Government Support

To promote the sustainable use of forest resources and advance a decarbonized society, both the national government and local authorities are encouraging wooden construction. Legislation enacted in 2010 promoted the use of wood in public facilities, and in 2021 its scope was expanded to include private buildings.

Technological advances are also accelerating the shift toward timber construction. For example, the Grand Ring, a wooden structure that attracted attention at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, used CLT (cross-laminated timber) panels.

Along with ongoing technological development, regulations on fire resistance and other requirements for wooden buildings have been eased, expanding the range of what can be built with wood.

Carbon Capture

As population decline is expected to reduce housing demand, wooden buildings provide an opportunity to increase timber use while helping reduce CO₂ emissions. Trees planted more than 50 years ago are thought to absorb less CO₂, and many of Japan's postwar forests have already passed their peak absorption capacity. Promoting sustainable forest cycles boosts uptake, while wooden buildings themselves can act as long-term carbon storage.

Until recently, wooden-frame buildings were mainly developed in central Tokyo and other major urban areas, led by large developers. In recent years, however, advances in technology and improved cost feasibility have allowed such projects to spread to regional areas.

Miyoshi Real Estate, a Fukuoka-based property leasing company, adopted wooden construction for a three-story building completed in 2025 in the city that combines a hotel and rental housing.

Branding Efforts

Elsewhere, a training facility for industrial gas company Iwatani Corporation was completed in Kobe City in 2024 using a hybrid of wood and steel construction. Similar examples of wooden offices and other buildings have emerged in Saga and Miyagi prefectures.

In Kyushu, one of Japan's major forestry hubs, industry and academia are collaborating to promote wooden buildings. The Kyushu Economic Federation has branded three-story wooden buildings as "Moku-San [three] Buildings" to encourage wider adoption.

Supply Chain Challenges

Soei Kawamura, a senior research fellow at the Kyushu Economic Research Association, says, "Using regional timber creates a positive cycle for local communities by promoting forestry and revitalizing local businesses. If wooden buildings increase in urban centers, it will also encourage people to reflect on Japan's long-standing respect for wood and environmental conservation."

At the same time, he points to challenges such as securing stable material supplies, developing processing hubs, and training designers. "A supply chain capable of delivering large volumes at specified times is not yet fully in place. Visibility into distribution conditions is crucial for clients' decision-making," he notes.

"LOOP50," a city concept proposed by Obayashi Corporation that envisions an urban environment coexisting with forests. The large-scale timber structure is designed around a 50-year cycle of planting, harvesting and use. (Courtesy of Obayashi Corporation)

This movement is not limited to Japan. In Sydney, Australia, a 39-story building with a hybrid wood-and-steel structure is currently under construction, with Obayashi Corporation involved in the project. The company is promoting coexistence with forests by proposing cities that function through timber-based cycles. In Helsinki, Finland, a project is underway to develop an entire urban district using wooden and wood-based construction.

(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Mayuko Ichii, The Sankei Shimbun