The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) of the United States has applauded a newly-signed, landmark declaration by the International Housing Association (IHA) as a major advancement in the effort to improve the quality of housing and living environments throughout Japan.

In its capacity as IHA Secretariat, NAHB chaired the coalition's first-ever meeting in Asia recently. At the event, participants from nine countries signed a landmark agreement supporting enactment of a National Housing Act for Japan, which would be aimed at establishing a comprehensive housing strategy for the 21st century within the world's second largest economy.

Called the Tokyo Declaration and modeled after similar housing acts in the U.S. and other participating countries, the agreement establishes a powerful example of what countries without national housing legislation might aim toward in the years ahead.

"This first-of-its-kind declaration emphasizes the important role IHA plays in improving the quality of housing for people across the globe," said NAHB immediate past president Bobby Rayburn, a homebuilder from Jackson, Miss. "NAHB is proud of its role in this international effort, and congratulates Japan for putting housing where it deserves to be on its national and international agenda."