Updated by "Forest Circular Economy" Editorial Board on July 31, 2025, 8:14 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.
The Forestry Agency will hold an exhibition, "Wood Change 2025," at the 2025 Japan International Exposition (Osaka-Kansai Expo) to introduce outstanding examples of the use of Japanese timber. The exhibition will be held at "Future Life Village" from September 23 to 29.
At the venue, actual and visual displays of wood products such as daily necessities, sundries, stationery, and toys that can be actually touched will be shown from among the winners of the Wood Design Award, which honors outstanding wood-related design. In addition, on September 23, the "Wood Use Symposium 2025 in Expo '70" is scheduled to be held on the stage in the same venue.
The Forestry Agency is promoting "Wood Change," which aims to transition to a sustainable society through the use of wood. This is an initiative to nurture forests through the use of wood by changing everyday objects to wood, incorporating wood into daily life, and converting buildings to wooden and wood-based structures, which will also reduce CO2 emissions and improve people's health.
Approximately 40% of Japan's forests are planted forests, many of which are now in their full utilization phase. However, these forest resources are not being effectively utilized due to various factors. Cutting down these trees for use as timber and planting young trees will create a cycle of forest resources and realize sustainable forest management. Replanting with cedar and cypress saplings, which have low pollen counts, will also contribute to solving the pollen allergy problem.
This exhibition will be a valuable opportunity for visitors to learn about the cycle of "cutting, using, planting, and growing" planted forests and to reaffirm the value of timber through exposure to concrete examples of "wood change.
■Related Sites
Wood Change 2025 Special Site
