Kyoei Lumber Featured by Fastmarkets and Random Lengths

Kyoei Lumber and our president, Bumpei Nishishita, have been featured in an article by Fastmarkets on the growing use of domestically sourced timber in Japan. The story also appeared in the September 11, 2026 issue of Random Lengths Weekly Report, published by Fastmarkets for the international forest products industry.

The article examines the growing role of sugi (Japanese cedar) in Japan amid tighter supplies of imported spruce, rising import costs, maturing domestic forest resources, and government support. Nishishita shared Kyoei Lumber’s perspective on the use of sugi in structural applications, including 2x4 construction, as well as the importance of kiln drying, quality control, stable supply, and strengthening the entire supply chain from forest to building site.

One of his comments featured in the article was:

“Japanese sugi should not only replace imported wood. It should become a material that the world chooses for its own value.”

This perspective is closely connected to what we do at Kyoei Lumber. In addition to structural timber, we manufacture Yakisugi — traditional Japanese charred cedar cladding made from sugi — and export Japanese wood products to projects around the world. At the same time, our group company T&H Forest Industries Ltd. in Vancouver, Canada, supplies Canadian forest products including SPF and cedar to international markets. Working with both Japanese and North American timber gives us a broad perspective on wood quality, performance, supply, and the value of each species.

Kyoei Lumber will continue exploring new possibilities for Japanese sugi — from structural applications to Yakisugi — and sharing the value of Japanese wood with architects, builders, and customers around the world.

Read the article: