Updated by "Forest Circular Economy" Editorial Board on October 30, 2025, 7:29 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 Kyushu region, with its mild and rainy climate, boasts some of the nation's best forest resources, with cedar and cypress trees thriving in the region. Oguni cedar, Hita cedar, and other high-quality brand-name timbers are supplied, and the forestry industry is deeply rooted in the culture and lifestyle of the region. In Kyushu, "forestry girls" have been attracting attention in recent years. On Instagram, they post about their daily work, their love for the forest, and their activities with their friends. This article introduces five recommended accounts that show such forestry girls active in the Kyushu area*.
Based in Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Tsushima Lumber Cooperative is involved in a wide range of activities, from logging standing timber to manufacturing chips for paper and fuel. The company's blunt statements, including sharp references to illegal dumping in forests and oceans and the government's forestry policies, are sure to resonate with those interested in nature and the forestry industry. On the other hand, the many posts about Tsushima's tranquil scenery and seasonal forests also provide a soothing reminder of the busy daily life of the island.
In a post with the hashtag "Aiming to be the best forestry girl in Japan," she dexterously cuts a large-diameter tree with a chainsaw on her third day at the company, showing her resilience and spirit of challenge as a forestry girl. The company clearly states that women are welcome to apply for part-time jobs, and the atmosphere is attractive in that women can feel comfortable taking on the challenge of forestry work.
On Hinatade Forestry's Instagram, a number of high-performance forestry machines appear, conveying the power and efficiency of the work site. These machines take the place of the dangerous and burdensome work done by human hands, and one can sense the corporate culture that aims to create an environment where even women who are not confident in their strength can engage in forestry work with ease.
It is impressive to see how the forestry girls are actually performing heavy equipment operations with a sense of urgency, yet with a familiar hand. The way they proceed with their work, using their skills and judgment rather than brute force, shows that "you don't have to be physically fit to be active in the forestry industry.
Furthermore, hashtags such as "life-work balance" and "slow life" can be seen in many of the posts, giving the account the atmosphere of a workplace where people can work at their own pace while facing nature.
Eri Naito is a forestry girl who is engaged in forest and bamboo forest maintenance and forest environment conservation activities as a representative of TAKENOEN, a Nagasaki Prefecture forest volunteer organization. They are also actively involved in community development, education, food education, and international support activities, and their desire to protect nature and traditions with the next generation of children through collaboration with schools can be felt.
In her post, Ms. Naito says, "Our job is to change the niche image of mountain work," indicating that she is working with a sense of mission as a forestry girl. This is an account that is both educational and stimulating to watch, where the challenge of the future and the desire for the community are both present.
Kunitake Forestry is a company that engages in special logging and forest maintenance in Kumamoto Prefecture, and on Instagram, Nobuko, the mother of the current company president, also appears. In a video posted on Instagram with the caption, "60-year-old forestry girl is going strong! The video, with the caption, "Nobuko is a 60-year-old forestry girl doing her best! She is said to have been training her body by doing 100 push-ups every day, and it is clear that the accumulation of her efforts has led to her strength to handle difficult tasks with ease.
The posts also show many scenes of special logging and thinning operations on the mountain, and the tension in the field facing nature is palpable. In addition, the accounts clearly show that "anyone can be active in the forestry industry regardless of age or gender" as both young and experienced workers tackle their tasks with a cheerful expression on their faces.
Working in Saga's Forestry" operated by the Forestry Division of Saga Prefecture is an account that provides information on the Saga Forestry Academy and employment support. Posts on technical training sessions and workshops show young women mixed in with the men, steadily acquiring skills in the field as forestry girls.
In addition, in the postings of the certificate awarding ceremony, the sense of accomplishment and fulfilled expressions of those who have worked hard and mastered their skills are impressive. The process of growth through training and courses is realistic and will be of great help to those who want to try forestry in the future.
Furthermore, these transmissions remind us of the importance of learning the basics through classroom instruction and guidance before going out into the field. By acquiring the key points and knowledge of the work beforehand, these accounts give us the opportunity to step into the forestry world with a little more confidence.
*Note
The "Kyushu area" in this article refers to the eight prefectures of Fukuoka, Oita, Saga, Nagasaki, Miyazaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, and Okinawa, according to the Forestry Agency's block classification.
See also:Forest Service Link: Forestry Agency
