Japanese Land Ministry will introduce new buildings codes in April that enable mid to high rise timber buildings using Cross Laminated Timber. Developers will be able to construct CLT buildings lower than 60 meters without individual certification of the minister.

Buildings of CLT structures need to have detailed structural calculations under the current rules regardless of size, which is considered as barriers for development of wooden structures. The government is focusing on promotion of CLT buildings as part of its growth strategy, considering CLT as materials for the New National Stadium, the main venue of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. (2016/2/10)