Updated by "Forest Circular Economy" Editorial Board on January 29, 2026, 5:58 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.
In order to sustainably utilize Japan's forest resources, it is essential to make on-the-spot decisions and implementation that turn harvesting, utilization, and regeneration into an integrated process. However, such efforts are currently proceeding as a "practice in progress," including hesitation and trial and error, before being discussed as a completed success story, and it is difficult to share them with society. The second edition of the Forest Circular Economy Talk Live is a "practice conference" where women who have actually made decisions and created jobs in the field of forest resource circulation will share their own practices in words. This is an opportunity for those who have already been involved in forest and community work but have stopped to ask themselves, "Is this the way it should be?" or "Where should we draw the line?
In this issue, we will focus on the background and thought process behind the real decisions of "women who are already involved in forest work. For example, where do they draw the line to continue the work, when do they open the field practice to the outside world, and what have they given up in order not to end up as "their own activity"? These decisions are difficult to be expressed in a manual and have been accumulated in different ways at each site. How can we nurture each person's passion into sustainable "work" in the community? We believe that sharing the struggles of individuals is a solid step toward nurturing the next generation of bearers and connecting the work of the forest.
A "practice meeting" is not a place to come to a correct answer or consensus. It does not aim to present specific conclusions or evaluate anyone's efforts, but rather focuses on sharing the judgments and hesitations that emerge in the field and the thought process behind them. By putting into words some of the responses and interesting aspects of the work, we aim to give viewers a perspective from which they can think from their own standpoints, while at the same time providing an opportunity for the speakers themselves to organize their own practices to date. After participating, you should be a little closer to being able to put into words where you are lost and what you need to base your next decision on.
How did you become involved with the forest and how did you get started?
The choice to work in forestry and forest sites and the decision to continue to do so.
How is the cycle of logging, using, and returning established in the field?
How have you opened up your practice in the forest to the local community and others?
The response as a job, and the hesitations and questions that still remain.
Kayoko Sawada(Representative of Hikobayu LLC)
Based in Niseko-cho, Hokkaido, the company produces Todomatsu (Abies sachalinensis) essential oil and develops fragrance products. He is involved in activities to reconsider the relationship between forests and people through manufacturing products that make use of forest resources.
Official WEB site Instagram Facebook
tasting good（Takagiku Forestry Co.)
My name is Kiyomi and I am a forestry worker in Mamurogawa-cho, Yamagata Prefecture. I have been working in forestry for three years. Recently, I have been entrusted with cutting logs using a chainsaw and a processor. What I like most about working in the mountains is that I can be in nature (mountains), which changes its face every day. I enjoy my work very much. There are a lot of hardships, but it is just a lot of fun.
Official WEB site Instagram
kaori（Satoyama Cafe & Guesthouse sou)
In 2010, he purchased land in a satoyama in Chiba and spent three years half-building a home and store (cafe and guesthouse). What started as a way of life as part of the maintenance of the satoyama turned into an initiative to provide guests with nature experiences and a playground, and he became involved in forestry. Currently, while running the cafe & guesthouse, he is also involved in special logging sites as a husband and wife unit.
Official WEB site KINOUE - Tree Play Project Instagram
Hyogo-Fountain(Representative Director, Hyogo Oyashirin Kaihatsu Co.)
I have been a representative for 8 years. We are a group of technicians who handle everything from material production to special logging. We have 6 employees (including 2 female field technicians), and 3 of them are in their early 20's. We completely replaced them 3 years ago, and we are a vibrant company that is currently growing. Our goal is to create a forestry business that can be done by women as well, using our technical skills to cover the needs of our clients.
Official WEB site Instagram Facebook
Okugawa Kikka(Representative Director of Somano Base Inc.)
He was affected by the Kii Peninsula flood that occurred in his hometown when he was in high school, and aspired to create a world where people do not die in disasters. After studying commerce at Doshisha University, he worked for companies such as Borderless Japan, a disaster prevention NPO, and a tree-planting company (Nakagawa Co., Ltd.). Established Somano Base Inc. with the aim of creating mountains with low risk of landslides. He is the president of Somano Base Inc. He introduced a new type of ornamental plant, "Returned Seedlings," in which buyers participate in growing saplings for afforestation at home, which won the Wood Change Award and the Wood Design Award. He later established an e-commerce site. He has also sold returned seedlings to companies, and approximately 100 companies have grown more than 3,500 seedlings throughout Japan.
Official WEB site Instagram
Yamamoto Mochiai(LLC 887)
Lives in Nishiawakura Village, Okayama Prefecture, and joined 887 LLC in 2023, a media/production business related to forestry and lumber. He is the editor-in-chief of the podcast program "Just Right Lumber Radio. He is practicing a small project team to promote the relationship between forests and people with love.
Just the right lumber radio Official WEB site
*Moderator: Kaoru Sumitomo (Editor-in-Chief, "Forest Circular Economy")
The talk will focus on the three perspectives of "how we got involved with forests," "what it means to work in the forestry field," and "how we can open our practices in the forest to the local community. The discussion will not be based on generalities or idealism, but rather on the experiences accumulated in the field in each region. In the latter half of the session, time will be set aside for participants to share their thoughts on the questions they have been asked in advance and how they have dealt with them.
Those who are interested in forests and forestry but feel a distance between idealism and the field.
Those who are involved in local practices and job creation and face difficulties in making decisions.
Those who are interested in the thinking and trial-and-error that goes before rather than the completed success story.
Those who want to sort out where they are lost and what they should base their next decision on.
Those who want to think about "future relationship with forests" from a realistic viewpoint in the field, regardless of gender.
*This talk live is not a place to take home immediately usable know-how or correct answers. You can take home a "thinking axis" to organize where you are lost and what you should base your next decision on. Even if you don't have an answer yet, even if you don't have your thoughts in order, you are welcome to participate in the event as it is.
In the second half of this talk live, we will have time to deepen the discussion based on questions received in advance from female audience members. Please use the application form to send us your concerns and questions that you are facing in job creation and decision making in the field.
*Because this talk live is a session centered on women's practice, only women will be allowed to ask questions in advance. (In addition, viewing of this event itself is open to all.)
*We will pick up from the questions we received and answer them.
*There will be no Q&A session on the day of the event.
Ten winners will be drawn from those who register for this talk live,Forest Circulation Economy, edited by Hiroshi Komiyamawill be given as a gift.
Outline
Event Name： Forest Circular Economy Talk Live Vol.2 "Women Creating Forest Work - Practical Meeting to Link Forest and Community" (Japanese only)
Date & TimeFriday, February 27, 2026, 12:30 - 14:00
Holding formatOnline (Zoom Webinar)
progressTalk (70 minutes) + Questions and Answers (20 minutes)
Time allocation is subject to change depending on the progress of the day.
entrance feeFree of charge (Pre-registration required)
organizingEditorial Board of "Forest Circular Economy" (Platinum Initiative Network, Inc.)
■Precautions
After registering, you will receive an e-mail with the URL for participation. If you do not receive it, please check your spam folder.
Your email address will also be registered for our free Forest Circular Economy Newsletter. You will receive a weekly newsletter with noteworthy articles and event information. You can unsubscribe at any time if you no longer need it.
Registration information such as name and affiliation will be used only for event management and newsletter distribution, and will not be provided to any third party.
Please refrain from recording, recording or taking screenshots of the event.
