118
6.2.2 A Scenario for Reviving Forestry
Despite Japan having an abundance of forest resources, 75%t of the demand for
timber relies on imports. About 10 million hectares were afforested for restoration
after World War II. However, during the period of economic growth young people
left the countryside for the cities and there was a lack of workers in the forestry
industry. On top of that, cheaply imported timber became available and domestic
timber was buffeted by price competition. Forestry workers aged without any drastic reforms of the industry such as streamlining of business operations or expansion
of scale. Due to a labor shortage, forests did not receive adequate care and a vicious
cycle occurred with forests becoming wilder as national land conservation worsened. This cycle must be broken.
European timber exporting countries such as Sweden and Austria share common
features such as large-scale management, rational mechanization, and creation of
supply chains. The logging and carrying costs per cubic meter for these countries
are 2000 and 4000 yen respectively, but it is about 8000 yen in Japan. The density
of Japan’s forestry road network is extremely low, one-tenth and one-fifth of Sweden
and Austria, which is one of the reason for high cost of timber in Japan.
Hopes are being pinned on Smart Forestry. It is anticipated that Smart Forestry
can overcome various issues with technology and business models. The Platinum
Society Network has established a forestry revival working group and is examining
exactly what needs to be done by Smart Forestry.
Actually, several advanced cases have already occurred in Japan. For example, in
Gunma prefecture forestry associations have cooperated with each other to establish
the Shibukawa Sanzai Center where an entire lot is purchased in one lump sum. This
center has become the core of the supply chain making it possible to accept various
qualities of timber. Another example is the town of Shimokawa in Hokkaido where
the whole community tackles the revitalization of forestry (Fig. 6.7). Shimokawa
was the first town in Hokkaido to be recognized by the Forest Stewardship Council,
which is responsible for certification globally of sustainable forestry control and
management and as well as adding higher value to timber, sawdust from the sawmill
in the town is used for biomass. It is used in public facilities and this venture is
touted as reducing both CO 2 and running costs at the same time.
If supply chains are formed and the use of biomass spreads, the revenue from this
can be plowed back into Smart Forestry. If forestry is revitalized, forests will be
better looked after and a healthy natural environment can be maintained. This in
turn will lead to soil conservation while preventing the occurrence of landslide
disasters.
Use of biomass, reduction of CO 2 , economic revitalization, strengthening
national land, and preservation of the environment and water resources—the benefits from creating supply chains and from smartening the forestry industry are major.
That is why the government and corporate groups with massive capital should participate actively and using their size as leverage, should guide Japan’s forestry to a
strong revival.
6 Platinum Industry and a New Society
6.2.2 A Scenario for Reviving Forestry
Despite Japan having an abundance of forest resources, 75%t of the demand for
timber relies on imports. About 10 million hectares were afforested for restoration
after World War II. However, during the period of economic growth young people
left the countryside for the cities and there was a lack of workers in the forestry
industry. On top of that, cheaply imported timber became available and domestic
timber was buffeted by price competition. Forestry workers aged without any drastic reforms of the industry such as streamlining of business operations or expansion
of scale. Due to a labor shortage, forests did not receive adequate care and a vicious
cycle occurred with forests becoming wilder as national land conservation worsened. This cycle must be broken.
European timber exporting countries such as Sweden and Austria share common
features such as large-scale management, rational mechanization, and creation of
supply chains. The logging and carrying costs per cubic meter for these countries
are 2000 and 4000 yen respectively, but it is about 8000 yen in Japan. The density
of Japan’s forestry road network is extremely low, one-tenth and one-fifth of Sweden
and Austria, which is one of the reason for high cost of timber in Japan.
Hopes are being pinned on Smart Forestry. It is anticipated that Smart Forestry
can overcome various issues with technology and business models. The Platinum
Society Network has established a forestry revival working group and is examining
exactly what needs to be done by Smart Forestry.
Actually, several advanced cases have already occurred in Japan. For example, in
Gunma prefecture forestry associations have cooperated with each other to establish
the Shibukawa Sanzai Center where an entire lot is purchased in one lump sum. This
center has become the core of the supply chain making it possible to accept various
qualities of timber. Another example is the town of Shimokawa in Hokkaido where
the whole community tackles the revitalization of forestry (Fig. 6.7). Shimokawa
was the first town in Hokkaido to be recognized by the Forest Stewardship Council,
which is responsible for certification globally of sustainable forestry control and
management and as well as adding higher value to timber, sawdust from the sawmill
in the town is used for biomass. It is used in public facilities and this venture is
touted as reducing both CO 2 and running costs at the same time.
If supply chains are formed and the use of biomass spreads, the revenue from this
can be plowed back into Smart Forestry. If forestry is revitalized, forests will be
better looked after and a healthy natural environment can be maintained. This in
turn will lead to soil conservation while preventing the occurrence of landslide
disasters.
Use of biomass, reduction of CO 2 , economic revitalization, strengthening
national land, and preservation of the environment and water resources—the benefits from creating supply chains and from smartening the forestry industry are major.
That is why the government and corporate groups with massive capital should participate actively and using their size as leverage, should guide Japan’s forestry to a
strong revival.
6 Platinum Industry and a New Society