IMPORTED HOUSE INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION
◇ESTABLISHMENT & ORGANIZATION OF IHIO
(Imported House Industrial Organization)
◇ESTABLISHMENT OF IHIO
Today, in the Japanese housing market, the perception of “Imported Houses” is well recognized, and increasing number of consumers are willing to take a closer look at the advantages of building or buying imported house. This trend is because more Japanese consumers are becoming familiar with the design concept of imported houses which are very different from traditional Japanese designs, and because more consumers understand the advantages in quality and performance of imported houses. In April 1995, companies and organizations that have a role in the imported housing business joined hands to establish a promotional organization, Imported House Industrial Organization (IHIO).
For future prosperity of the imported housing industry, it is essential to win consumer confidence in the quality of imported houses and to develop new markets for imported houses. The IHIO aggressively tackles obstacles hindering construction of more imported houses, and strives to contribute to the improvement of the housing industry in Japan.
◇MEMBERS OF IHIO (revised June 2002)
IHIO has the following categories:
◇Regular Membership:
Companies engaged in business related to imported houses, including importing of houses, sales of imported houses, importing of building materials, trade firms, building of imported houses, etc. can join the IHIO.
◇Associate Membership:
Companies engaged in the business of housing equipment, interior and exterior materials, gardening for imported houses, and in the business of importing above materials, and who can be supportive of the IHIO objectives and activities may join the IHIO as Associate Members.
◇FC Membership:
Franchisee companies of imported housing franchises, which are supportive of the IHIO objectives and activities. The FC Membership requires a recommendation by a regular IHIO member.
◇Special/International Membership:
Organizations with interests in imported housing business, and supportive of the IHIO objectives and activities. The Special Membership requires a recommendation by a regular IHIO member.
◇Individual Membership:
Individuals who are engaged in the business of architectural design and work, and in the study of imported houses, may join the IHIO as an Individual Member with a recommendation by a regular IHIO member.
◇Support Membership:
Companies and organization who are supportive of the IHIO objectives and activities, may become a Support Member, with a recommendation from a regular IHIO member. JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization), MIPRO (Manufactured Import Promotional Organization), and embassies and provincial/state offices of overseas governments are the current Support Members.
◇ORGANIZATION OF IHIO
IHIO consists of the “GENERAL ASSEMBLY”, by all members, and day to day operation of the organization is conducted by the following committees. The operation of the IHIO is directed by IHIO Steering Committee, and managed by various committees which reports to the Steering Committee. Listed hereunder are committees that are currently active.
◇General Affairs Committee:
Manages overall activities of the IHIO, led by its committees, and plans annual activities, annual budget and compile reports.
◇Planning & Public Relations Committee:
Plans and executes public relations activities in promoting imported houses in the market. Intelligence gathering and managing, research and development for the benefit of the imported housing business fall under this committee.
◇Quality Improvement Committee:
Plans and execute activities promoting proper interpretation and application of the laws and regulations relating to building of imported houses. Also this committee is responsible for plans and execution of quality assurance, maintenance of quality standards, and after-construction services, by the members. Also an important function of this committee is to plan and execute activities in acquiring higher standard of construction technologies.
◇Life-Style (Planner) Committee:
Manages Life-Style Planner Certification Program, to train human resources to promote benefits and advantages of living in imported houses, and to provide consultation to people in fulfilling their life style from a viewpoint of house planning.
◇OBJECTIVES IN PROMOTING IMPORTED HOUSES BY IHIO
◇Increased Options for the Consumers:
Imported housing adds an option to homebuyers when considering building or purchasing houses. The inclusion of imported houses in the market place brings more competition to the market, leading to better quality houses at more reasonable pricing to the homebuyers.
◇Vitalizing Japan’s Housing Market:
Inclusion of imported houses, which are visually different from Japan’s traditional houses, as well as in fundamental performance, acts as a stimuli in the housing market in general.
◇Contribute to Import Promotion Scheme:
Importing of houses contributes greatly to improving the trade imbalance with other countries.
◇OFFICE LOCATION
IMPORTED HOUSE INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION
3-1-3 Higashi-Ikebukuro, World Import Mart Bldg. 6F
Toshima-ku, TOKYO 170-0013 JAPAN
Tel: 03-3980-7311
Fax:03-3980-7312
◇ACTIVITIES OF IHIO (Imported House Industrial Organization)
For further development of imported housing industry and for prosperity of the business, the IHIO is currently tackling the following challenges.
◇Deregulation (Relaxing of Regulations and Restrictions):
It is important to improve the market environment for healthy growth of the imported housing industry under the free market system. For example, relaxing of some regulations and restrictions will lead to freer and more practical economic activities, which will improve the competitiveness of imported housing. The IHIO promotes deregulation by lobbying governmental and municipal authorities.
◇Cost Reduction:
Also important is to reduce the cost of constructing imported houses to be competitive in the market place. In order to provide good quality imported houses at a reasonable price to homebuyers, the cost of imported building materials, the cost of ocean freight and local delivery, and the actual construction cost which weigh greatly in home building, need to be evaluated closely.
◇After-Construction Maintenance and Care:
Life of houses is long, and maintenance and care for the houses are required. Because of this the imported housing industry has to look at the maintenance and care of the imported houses thoroughly.
The challenges are not limited to the above mentioned, and the IHIO aims to address each of these existing as well as future challenges in order to bring about healthy growth in the industry.
◇LOBBYING TO RELAX REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
◇PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PROMOTION OF IMPORTED HOUSES
◇PROMOTION OF OVERSEAS PRODUCTS AND SUPPLIERS
◇INFORMATION EXCHANGE
◇PROMOTION OF BETTER QUALITY PRODUCTS, BETTER HOUSE BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES
◇RESEARCH AND SURVEY
◇RELATIONS WITH GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES