Updated by "Forest Circular Economy" Editorial Board on February 05, 2026, 8:29 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.
In recent years, high-performance forestry machinery has been introduced to the forestry industry, greatly improving work efficiency and safety. Examples include "harvesters," which can handle the entire process from felling trees to cutting them into balls, and "forwarders," which transport logs and are indispensable for efficiently carrying out each step of the process.
Mechanization has greatly changed the forestry industry, creating an environment in which women can easily work on the front lines. Women who are skilled in the use of various machines and tools used in the field, including high-performance machines, are a symbol of the changes in the way forestry workers work. This article introduces five Instagram accounts that showcase the daily lives and work scenes of these women in the forestry industry.
Komorebi Forestry's account has many video postings of forestry machinery, and its appeal is that it is easy for those without expertise to visualize how heavy machinery works and what role it plays in the field. In one video of a Comma 7 backhoe, the company describes the machine as a "giant god soldier from Nausicaa," giving it an overwhelming sense of presence.
On the other hand, he also added the words, "A momentary error in operation or failure to check the surroundings can easily result in a person's death." This shows that he seriously considers the great responsibility of those who handle the machines as well as their power, and always pays close attention to the machines. Even though the physical burden of the work is reduced by the machines, it is evident that it is not an easy job from a mental standpoint, as it requires a great deal of judgment and concentration.
Instagram of Ando Forestry Co., Ltd. features many high-performance forestry machines, such as harvesters and forwarders, and offers a realistic view of modern forestry sites where mechanization is progressing. Forestry, which deals with nature, is not an easy job, but as mechanization progresses and the work environment is improved, there are more and more sites where women can exert their strength without difficulty.
One of the most impressive contributions is the use of drones to deliver materials. As the phrase "flying all the way to the top of the mountain" suggests, the spread of technology has greatly changed the heavy labor that was once commonplace. This is a valuable account of the forestry industry as it is today.
When we think of forestry machinery, we tend to think of large heavy machinery, but chainsaws are another important piece of machinery that supports the job site. Evolution is continuing in terms of safety as well as work efficiency.
Yuko Nagami's account introduces the MSA300, a professional-grade battery-powered chainsaw. She carefully transmits the advantages and disadvantages that she actually felt from using the machine, which is helpful for those who are considering introducing it. Furthermore, his search for a machine that suits him through trial and error shows that tool selection is an important part of his work. Ms. Nagami is a mother of two children, and her work in the forestry industry while balancing work and family life is an inspiration to many women.
On the Instagram page of Yoshinaga Forestry Co., Ltd. the "Ikeda's First Time Series" by Ms. Ikeda, a forestry girl, is sent out, showing her trying out new tasks in the field. In a post about operating a swing yarder for the first time, she conveys a sense of tension and responsibility when she says, "I worked hard with my hands sweating. With the support of senior workers, you will want to cheer them on as they increase what they can do one by one.
In addition, the company's YouTube page provides detailed explanations of work scenes and machines, and is full of helpful information for those who want to get involved in forestry, such as how the equipment feels to use and its features. This is an account where you can follow the growth process of women in forestry who are acquiring skills along with high-performance forestry machinery.
Ltd. posts photos of the grandeur of the mountains and the beauty of the four seasons, in addition to scenes of daily work and training. The account also features images of work being carried out in heavy rain, which gives a realistic picture of the harshness of the work site, which is affected by weather conditions.
One of the most eye-catching posts was taken with the Iwafuji U-5DGW forwarder. In another post, the employees are examining a processor demo machine around them, and their willingness to introduce new technology is impressive. The expressions of the employees in front of the new machine oozed with anticipation, and they said, "Forestry machines are amazing after all. It makes my work fun again. The caption, "High-performance forestry equipment is bringing positive changes to the work site. These efforts will help to create an environment in which even women can work comfortably.
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What is high-performance forestry machinery?
