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CultureCulture

A history of deep involvement with forests since ancient times has matured the spiritual and traditional culture of the Japanese people.

8.21Thu 2025

Asunaro chopsticks are also used to bring good luck Japanese culture that connects the soul of wood

前回のコラムで、日本の箸はもともと「私達の食べ物を運ぶ道具ではなかった」ことや、「素材は木材からできていること […]

8.19Tue 2025

The Challenges Faced by the "Hozoku" Philosophy of Forestry Born in 18th Century Germany, a Time of Rampant Deforestation Reading "Forestry: German Forests and Japanese Forestry" by Yukikazu Murao (Part 1)

I am interested in the forestry industry in Germany. There are three reasons for this. One is that Germany is a country that has realized cultivated forestry alongside Japan. And [...].

8.12Tue 2025

Why Japan Needs a "Circular Forest Economy" Now: Resource Self-Sufficiency, Lifelong Growth, and a Resident-Financed Platinum Society

As Chairman of the Platinum Initiative Network and former President of the University of Tokyo, I have long been thinking about the future of Japan. Now, the world [...].

7.28Mon 2025

Alarmed by Excessive Building Activities that Ruin Limited Forests Reading Kumazawa Bansan's "Shugi Wa Sho" and "Shugi Gaisho" (Part 2)

*Part 1 is here Kumazawa Bansan, the pioneer of Japanese forest history, was a thinker without discovery.

7.25Fri 2025

Forest Circular Economy, edited by Hiroshi Komiyama, is a vision for the year 2050: Rebuilding Japan as a resource-rich nation will start with its forests.

The national challenges facing Japan today - carbon neutrality by 2050, regional sustainability, and resource self-sufficiency. These [...]...

7.16Wed 2025

Kumazawa Bansan, Pioneer of Japanese Forest History, was a Thinker without Discovery: Reading "Shugi Wa Sho" and "Shugi Gaisho" (Part 1)

I have read three books in this column so far, trying to get an overview of the history of the Japanese people and forests. In the process, I became somewhat curious [...].

7.9Wed 2025

Why are festive chopsticks made of willow wood?

Chopsticks? What does that have to do with forests?" You may be thinking, "What does chopsticks have to do with forests?" but Japanese chopstick culture and food culture have a deep relationship with trees. [...].

7.4Fri 2025

Can Money Buy Carbon Neutrality? The Forest-Economy Paradox

Before we get into forestry, wood processing, and wood use, there is something to consider: the policy toward carbon neutrality in 2050 [...].

6.27Fri 2025

The Bakufu's Challenge and Failure to Achieve a Nationwide Unified Forestry Policy: Reading "Edo Gaku of Forests" by the Tokugawa Forestry History Institute (Part 2)

*Part 1 is here: Blow to Local Forest Resources through Distribution Control by Edo's Imperial Procurement Merchants Read "Edo Gaku of Forests" by Tokugawa Forestry History Institute ( [...])

6.26Thu 2025

Industrial Initiative Activities as a Means of Implementing a Platinum Society: A Comprehensive Review of Forest Circular Economy (6)

How can we realize a platinum society (a society that is sustainable and prosperous for the planet and enables self-fulfillment for all people)? The platinum structure [...].

6.20Fri 2025

Oji HD and Hoshino Resort collaborate for horizontal recycling of used paper hand towels from hotels, etc.

Oji Holdings and its group company Oji Nepia have teamed up with Hoshino Resort to provide used [...] used by hotels and restaurants.

6.18Wed 2025

Distribution Control by Edo Imperial Procurement Merchants Blows to Local Forest Resources: Reading "Edo Studies of Forests" by Tokugawa Forestry History Institute (Part 1)

I read Conrad Tatman's book and found that although Japan's forests were almost destroyed by overcutting in the early Edo period, our ancestors [...].

6.16Mon 2025

Webinar to Commemorate the Launch of "Forest Circular Economy" (Webinar)
The Future Created by Forest Recycling
Thursday, July 10, 2025, 13:00-17:00

In this special seminar commemorating the first issue of "Forest Circular Economy," various people who will accelerate this "Forest Circular Economy" will present topics and hold discussions.

6.6Fri 2025

Let's strive to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 through a new forest culture and technological innovation!

We have 25 years to go until we achieve our promised carbon neutrality by 2050! We cannot achieve this goal by curbing CO2 emissions alone [...].

6.4Wed 2025

The 19th Century Achievement of "Nurtured Forestry" in Human History: Reading "How the Japanese Have Created Forests" by Conrad Tatman (Part 2)

*Click here for the first part, which reveals the two crises Japan has faced due to over-cutting of forests Conrad Tatman, "How the Japanese [...]...

6.3Tue 2025

LDP's "Package of Intensive Measures" to Achieve a Circular Economy Using Forest Resources

The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) released its "Proposal for the Realization of a Circular Economy Based on Forest Resources" on June 2, 2012, which, along with the implementation of the revised Forest Management Control Law, [...]...

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