There's never been a better time to Buy BC and support local growers, producers and the food we love right here in BC.  Explore Buy BC products
Government of B.C. Government of B.C. Government of B.C. Government of B.C. BC Gov News
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Live Webcast
  • News  
  • News  
  • By Ministry
    • Office of the Premier
    • Agriculture and Food
    • Attorney General
    • Children and Family Development
    • Citizens' Services
    • Education and Child Care
    • Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
    • Energy and Climate Solutions
    • Environment and Parks
    • Finance
    • Forests
    • Health
    • Housing and Municipal Affairs
    • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
    • Infrastructure
    • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
    • Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
    • Labour
    • Mining and Critical Minerals
    • Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
    • Public Safety and Solicitor General
    • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
    • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
    • Transportation and Transit
    • Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
  • Subscribe
Live Webcast
By Ministry
  • Office of the Premier
  • Agriculture and Food
  • Attorney General
  • Children and Family Development
  • Citizens' Services
  • Education and Child Care
  • Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
  • Energy and Climate Solutions
  • Environment and Parks
  • Finance
  • Forests
  • Health
  • Housing and Municipal Affairs
  • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
  • Infrastructure
  • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
  • Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
  • Labour
  • Mining and Critical Minerals
  • Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
  • Public Safety and Solicitor General
  • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
  • Transportation and Transit
  • Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Forests

Trade mission honours work to rebuild Japan in earthquake aftermath

Share

More from this Ministry
Honourable Ravi Parmar

Honourable Ravi Parmar

Honourable Ravi Parmar

Read Bio

Contact

Email: FOR.Minister@gov.bc.ca

close menu Forests

B.C. supports advanced manufacturing of forestry products

April 23, 2025 9:15 AM
B.C. supports advanced manufacturing of forestry products
New support for forestry-sector manufacturers in the province is creating sustainable jobs, strengthening local supply chains, establishing new made-in-B.C. products and reinforcing B.C.’s position as a leader in mass-timber innovation.
  Read More

More than 60 projects will reduce wildfire risk, support forestry in B.C.

April 24, 2025 12:15 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Print

Forests

British Columbia News

Trade mission honours work to rebuild Japan in earthquake aftermath

https://news.gov.bc.ca/07191

Share

News Release

Tokyo, Japan
Thursday, October 16, 2014 7:00 AM

Share

News Release

Tokyo, Japan

Thursday, October 16, 2014 7:00 AM

More from this Ministry

  • Factsheets
  • Ministry Website
  • Ministry Photos
  • Ministry Videos

Featured Topics

  • Taking Action in B.C.'s Forest Sector
  • A New Approach to Old Growth Forests
  • Softwood Lumber Trade with the U.S.
  • B.C.'s Crown Land Policies
  • Forestry

Featured Services

  • BC Wildfire Service Updates
  • Local Free Use Permits
  • Spongy Moth

A ceremony marking efforts to help reconstruct communities impacted by Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami was a highlight of a busy day for B.C.’s Forestry Asia Trade Mission.

The ceremony, which included the presentation of a plaque commemorating joint effort to build a centre for people with physical and mental disabilities, was followed by trade mission delegates presenting awards in the Japan 2x4 Home Builders Association’s design competition.

Representatives from the governments of Canada, British Columbia and Alberta, as well as the Canadian forest industry, presented a ceremonial plaque to the Iwaki Gospel Association Social Welfare Corporation, the organization spearheading the construction of the Jericho Support Centre in Iwaki City. 

Following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami and ensuing Fukushima nuclear crisis, more than 1,000 patients with physical and mental disabilities were evacuated to Iwaki City.

The $1.88-million Jericho Support Centre will feature rehabilitation and life skills training facilities, doctors’ offices and a multi-use meeting hall. The centre is being built with B.C. wood products and is the fourth project to be built under the $4.8-million Canada-Tohoku Reconstruction Project. With the completion of the Jericho project expected early in 2015, the Canada Tohoku Reconstruction Project will have rebuilt public facilities in all three of the tsunami-hit prefectures of Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima.

Funding is provided by the Governments of Canada, B.C., Alberta and leading B.C. forest companies. The Jericho Support Centre is scheduled for completion in January 2015.

In conjunction with the plaque ceremony, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson and trade mission delegates presented awards to winners in eight categories of the Council of Forest Industries 40th Anniversary 2x4 design awards competition. Over 130 entries were received in residential categories and over 40 entries were received in the non-residential and large-scale construction categories. The design awards are co-sponsored by Canada Wood Japan and the B.C. Council of Forest Industries.

Quotes:

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations -

“The earthquake reconstruction projects demonstrate the seismic performance and environmental benefits of building with wood. It was also a pleasure to participate in the design awards and view the innovation on display.”

The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario -

“Canada was proud to offer humanitarian assistance to Japan following the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Our contribution to this important project enables us to extend Canada’s goodwill to some of society’s most vulnerable at the new Jericho Support Centre, while demonstrating the many internationally recognized benefits of Canadian wood-frame construction.”  

Rick Jeffery, president, Canada Wood Group -

“When we visited the tsunami-hit communities three years ago, we saw a raw and overwhelming sense of devastation, loss and sadness. By bringing together Canadian and Japanese governments and industry, we have not only helped play a small part in rebuilding these communities, we have restored a sense of hope and international friendship between Canada and Japan.”

Learn More:

Photos from the 2014 Forestry Asia Trade Mission are online at: https://flic.kr/p/pp3rc5

Follow updates on Twitter at @BCJobsPlan or using #TM2014

BC Jobs Plan: www.bcjobsplan.ca

Building our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia: www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/forestsectorstrategy/

Media Contacts:

Greig Bethel
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261

https://news.gov.bc.ca/07191

Related Articles

B.C. supports advanced manufacturing of forestry products

April 23, 2025 9:15 AM

More than 60 projects will reduce wildfire risk, support forestry in B.C.

April 24, 2025 12:15 PM

Use caution, be fire safe this weekend

May 1, 2025 1:30 PM
BC Gov News

Connect with the Ministry

Photos

View the Ministry's latest photos on Flickr.

Videos

Watch the Ministry's latest videos on YouTube.

The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

Government of B.C. Government of B.C.

We can help in over 220 languages and through other accessible options.   Call, email or text us, or find a service centre.

Connect with Us

  • Subscribe
  • Social and RSS

More Info

  • BC Gov
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Government of British Columbia