The Hong Kong Institute of Facility Management (HKIFM) in collaboration with the University of Hong Kong and funded by the HK SAR Government has organized a function named "Sustainable Development in Japan and China – A Twin Countries´ Adventure". The first part of the Function was the technical visits to Tokyo and Yokohama held on March 21-24, 2007. The theme of this Technical Visit is "Sustainability & Energy Conservation In Tokyo and Yokohama". Upon invitation of the HKIFM, Mr. Raymond Sham, a member of the Executive Committee of the Branch, joined the Visits.

The tour group consists of about 30 participants from the HKIFM, HKU, HKIH, Housing Department, HK Science & Technology Parks Corporation, and etc. In the morning of 22 March 2007, the Group was arranged to visit the Takenaka Corporation´s new Tokyo Headquarters and then the Matsushita Corporation´s new Headquarters. The Takenaka new office was completed in November 2004 and was designed with various environmentally conscious features to give its employees a totally new office space experience. The Matsushita´s Building was recently awarded the Ministry Award in energy conservation. The delegation has also visited the Yokohama Earth Port which is an office and multi-function facility for Tokyo Gas. This Building has won many awards for their environmentally conscious design.

After the visit, the Group joined the Japan Facility Management Association (JFMA) EXPO and JFMA´s 20th Anniversary Banquet in Pacifico Yokohama Convention Center. It has provided the Group a chance to know the latest facility management products and services displayed at the EXPO and a networking opportunity among facility management professionals from various countries.

In the morning of 23 March 2007, the Group visited the Harumi District Heat and Cooling Plant operated by the Tokyo Toshi City Service and then the solar power generation systems installed on the roof- top of the NTT Telecommunication´s Building in Ichikawa Nakayama. The delegation has also visited a large green roof garden installed in the Roppongi Hills, which is a major multi-use complex.

These Visits have provided an excellent chance and platform for the participants to experience the latest sustainable development initiatives in Japan. The Group not only had the opportunity to meet, learn, exchange ideas and share experience with facility management professionals in Japan, the participants also benefited from the innovative technology in the latest facility management development as well. It was a fruitful and memorable experience for the delegate of CIHAPB. The experience would be shared with other members of the Branch.