Updated by "Forest Circular Economy" Editorial Board on June 14, 2025, 9:22 PM JST
Editorial Board, Forest Circular Economy
Forestcircularity-editor
We aim to realize "Vision 2050: Japan Shines, Forest Circular Economy" promoted by the Platinum Forest Industry Initiative. We will disseminate ideas and initiatives to promote biomass chemistry, realize woody and lumbery communities, and encourage innovation in the forestry industry in order to fully utilize forest resources to decarbonize the economy, strengthen economic security, and create local communities.
Forest & Future, Inc. invites a wide range of business ideas and business plans on the theme of "Forest Space Value" for the "Forest & Future Sustainability Award 2025". The award supports free and creative business creation by entrepreneurs and start-ups. The deadline for entries is August 17.
This award was created as a forum to support those who are taking on the challenge of new forest businesses in order to realize a future of living with forests. Applicants are those who are already engaged in utilizing forest space as a business, or have a clear business idea and are in the specific preparatory stage of commercialization. Anyone can apply, including individuals, students, companies, local governments, and organizations, regardless of whether they are in Japan or overseas.
There are four themes for applications: (1) Initiatives that utilize forest spaces, (2) Initiatives that connect urban and mountain villages, (3) Initiatives that improve environmental issues, and (4) Initiatives that nurture the richness of people's lives. Specific initiatives that fall into one of these categories and utilize forest spaces will be considered. Winners will receive support and business promotion support from Mori and Mirai and a team of sponsors.
Japan is blessed with some of the world's greatest forest resources, but changes in the times and social conditions have shaken the system of forest circulation. In the past, forests were mainly utilized as "resources" such as lumber, but in recent years, with growing social interest in wellbeing, new value has begun to be found in forests as "spaces where people visit, spend time, and experience the forests. In order to pass on abundant forest resources to the next generation, it is important to have a system that recognizes efforts to conserve and utilize forests through economic activities. It is hoped that free and creative ideas will encourage innovation in the way forests and people interact, and lead to the reconstruction of healthy forest cycles.
Reference Site
Forest and Future Sustainable Award 2025
