#Japan #construction #Hajime Kensetsu #Hekinan #Hekinan Technical

An Insightful Field Trip to Wooden House Construction

On June 12, 2026, Hajime Kensetsu Co., Ltd., a key player in the Iida Group Holdings, hosted a site visit for 39 second-year students from the Architectural Design Department of Aichi Prefectural Hekinan Technical High School. This engaging event was aimed at familiarizing young minds with the intricacies of wooden house construction.

Purpose of the Event

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the employment figure in the construction industry is projected to drop to 4.78 million by 2025, marking a significant decline of approximately 30% from the peak of 6.85 million in 1997. This decline is a result of various factors, including the retirement of the baby boomer generation and new regulations on overtime work scheduled to take effect in April 2024, commonly referred to as the 2024 problem. Amidst this challenging landscape, enhancing productivity and securing a skilled workforce has become a pressing issue for the industry.

Furthermore, the job market for high school graduates continues to present challenges, especially for those hoping to enter the construction field. The job openings-to-applicants ratio for high school graduates stands at about 4.10, while for technical high school graduates, it reaches an astonishing 31.90. Amidst this reality, it is crucial to deepen understanding of the construction industry through experiential initiatives such as site visits.

Overview of the Wooden House Construction Site Visit

The event kicked off with opening remarks from Tsuchiya, an executive officer at Hajime Kensetsu, who highlighted the importance of hands-on experiences in shaping future careers. The students were given an insightful tour of an active wooden house construction site, where they learned about foundational and structural work from experienced construction staff.

Their day included practical lessons on the safe use of power tools, conducted by a professional carpenter employed by Hajime Kensetsu. Four students had the unique opportunity to experience screw driving tasks firsthand, while all participants also tried their hand at cutting wood using hand saws.

Moreover, students were introduced to a construction management application named "ANDPAD," which showcased how digital technology is transforming the industry. They engaged in hands-on sessions that illuminated the changes in working practices brought about by the construction digital transformation.

Student Reflections

Feedback from students who participated in the visit was overwhelmingly positive. One student stated, "This was my first time actually entering a construction site, making it a truly invaluable experience. I gained insights into how the knowledge I learn in school is applied in real-world settings, deepening my understanding of housing construction."

Another participant shared, "Learning to use tools directly from professionals was a memorable experience for me. I realized that creating houses is a collaborative effort, which sparked my interest in pursuing a career in construction."

Finally, one student expressed surprise at how digital technology is used in construction: "I was amazed to see how digital tools like the ANDPAD app are utilized. This changed my perception of the construction industry and provided me with insights to consider for my future career decisions."

Summary of the Event

• - Date: June 12, 2026
• - Location: A wooden house construction site in Hekinan City, Aichi Prefecture.
• - Activities: Opening remarks, a tour of the construction site with explanations of foundational work, demonstrations of power tools, hands-on experience with screws and wood cutting, introduction to the management app "ANDPAD," discussions on job satisfaction and working styles from professional carpenters, and a Q&A session.
• - Participants: 39 second-year students from Aichi Prefectural Hekinan Technical High School, executives from Hajime Kensetsu, and professional carpenters.

Hajime Kensetsu Company Overview

• - Company: Hajime Kensetsu Co., Ltd.
• - CEO: Tadami Horiguchi
• - Headquarters: 2-25-5 Minami Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 171-0022, Japan.
• - Established: February 13, 1967
• - Capital: 3,298 million JPY
• - Business: Residential sales, including wooden houses, condominiums, custom-built homes, renovations, and asset solutions for investment properties.

For further information, visit their website.