建築業界も危機感　“ナフサ不足”で工事できない　材料入荷できず工事に遅れも

The naphtha shortage caused by the situation in the Middle East is having a significant impact on new home construction and renovation projects. On May 21st, we visited a renovation company in Midori Ward, Nagoya City… Hikari Home President, Satoshi Kohata: "This was the original start date, but some materials are unavailable, so we've delayed construction slightly to wait until all the materials are in stock." This company, which undertakes renovations of exterior walls, interiors, bathrooms, etc., says that construction is delayed due to the unavailability of some materials. Hikari Home President, Satoshi Kohata: "Some paints and waterproofing materials are a little difficult to obtain. For paints, we're doing what we can by combining various materials that are slowly but surely arriving, such as thinner and paint." Currently, there are about three projects with no prospect of starting, and customers are waiting. Meanwhile, material prices are also rising. Hikari Home President Satoshi Kohata: "Prices have increased by 10-20% for some materials, and thinner has gone up a bit more. Even if the price is higher, having materials available gives us more options and means to work with them than having no materials at all." A double whammy of material shortages and price increases. Hikari Home President Satoshi Kohata: "During the earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, there were materials that we couldn't get. To be honest, we're just doing what we can, one step at a time, without getting too anxious while observing the situation." This situation is also affecting new home construction sites. Reporter: "At a construction site scheduled for handover in July, work is still ongoing, and the scaffolding can't be dismantled." With about two months until handover, work that should have been completed by now is significantly behind schedule. Blue tape is left in various places around the house. Looking closely... Reporter: "The upper part is already filled in, but the lower part is open because there's a shortage of materials." What's the reason? KURASU CEO Mirei Kobari: "Due to the naphtha situation in the Middle East, orders for building materials are gradually being stopped, and in some cases, they're becoming completely unavailable." The impact of the Middle East situation is spreading throughout the construction industry. Shuto Japan Sales Department Manager Katsuhisa Hirota: "With this situation, there's been a surge in demand, and the situation is extremely dire." "Because we can't procure various things, I'm really worried about the overall delays in construction." The procurement of insulation materials made from naphtha has become difficult, affecting both new construction and renovations. The true feelings of the construction industry. Sugar Village CEO Munetaka Sato: "When I meet with other industry professionals, they're all very discouraged." "We want the government to do something to return distribution to normal. That's how we in the industry truly feel." The true feelings of the construction industry. Sugar Village CEO Munetaka Sato: "When I meet with other industry professionals at meetings, they're all very disheartened." "We really want the government to do something and return distribution to normal. That's how we in the industry truly feel." How does the government view this situation? On the 20th, Prime Minister Takaichi said: Prime Minister Takaichi: "There are blockages occurring at various sites, and naphtha that should be readily available is not reaching its destination. We are fully aware of these situations." "We will continue to gather more feedback from the field, and Minister Akazawa, who is in charge, will take firm action to address this issue." The government emphasizes its response, but the sense of crisis is only spreading on the ground. How long will the impact of the uncertain situation in the Middle East continue? ■CTV NEWS Official Website: https://news.ntv.co.jp/n/ctv ■Twitter:   / chukyotv_news   ■TikTok:   / ctv_news   ■LINE NEWS: https://line.me/R/ti/p/%40oa-ctvnews ■For questions, concerns, or investigation requests, contact "Your Center Reporting Team"! https://www.ctv.co.jp/interview/ ■For photo and video submissions, use "Catch! Submission Box"! https://www.ctv.co.jp/catch/tokobox.html #news #ChukyoTV #CTV