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Local RevitalizationLocal Revitalization

Japanese cities, towns, and villages promoting regional development through forestry and timber industry

9.17Wed 2025

Shinshu larch is going from a landscape resource to a forestry resource.

When one hears the words "Karuizawa" or "Hakuba," many people think of resort destinations. Fresh air, majestic mountains, Western-style architecture and villa culture. It [...].

9.3Wed 2025

Noto's satoyama and satoumi, supported by the ate forestry industry, also takes on the challenge of restoration utilizing forestry heritage and World Agricultural Heritage sites.

The Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture experienced unprecedented combined disasters in the history of the prefecture: the Noto Peninsula earthquake on New Year's Day, 2024, and the Okunoto torrential rains in September. The disaster area [...].

8.28Thu 2025

Nagano-based Watahan Building Materials acquires 1,500 hectares of forestland to create a "logging, using, planting, and growing" recycling model

Watahan Kenzai Corporation, a general wood construction materials manufacturer, acquired approximately 1,500 hectares of forestland in Sendai, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, from the Noike Airin Agricultural Cooperative Association in August [...].

8.20Wed 2025

People and Places to Survive the Summer Heat in Mountain Villages in Hokuriku: A Relationship of Sharing the Same Air with Those to Whom You Entrust Your Forests

As I write this on August 12, it is raining again in Hokuriku. The previous week, heavy rainfall had flooded the roads in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, and caused self [...].

8.13Wed 2025

Utilization of oak-deficient trees as "Sastena benches" Establishment of a new recycling system for forest resources in the tourist resort of Hakuba, Japan

Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort, a member of the Japan Ski Resort Development Group, in cooperation with Yuasa Lumber and the North Alps Forestry Association, has announced a new ski resort in Nagano Prefecture [...].

8.13Wed 2025

Machida City and Tamagawa Gakuen sign business collaboration agreement to use trees in public spaces as educational materials and for educational programs

Machida City, Tokyo, and Tamagawa Gakuen signed a new business collaboration agreement on August 12 to utilize and recycle trees in the city as resources [...]

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 [...].

8.6Wed 2025

Energy company Sinanen supports Aoba Gumi's natural capital co-creation program to create a forest to nurture natural capital in Ashikaga.

Sinanen, an energy solutions company, has partnered with Aoba-gumi, a company that specializes in afforestation and forestry, to develop a forest in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, which is managed by Aoba-gumi [...].

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 [...]...

7.14Mon 2025

The Challenge of Fully Utilizing Forest Resources in Western Toyama Prefecture (3)

The recent heat wave and snowfall, the emergence of climate change, and the national goal of carbon neutrality by the year 2050 - these are the reasons why the "carbon neutrality" goal has become a reality in Japan. These are the backdrop to the [...].

7.9Wed 2025

Kikori Kikori Forestry recycles trees cut down from parks and roadside trees Comprehensive collaboration between Kobe City and "Shikoku Right Under the Tree Company" for recycling and utilization of forest resources

Based in Tokushima Prefecture, the company provides services to local governments through recycling-oriented forestry and utilization of forest resources by Kori Kiri Rinkyo [...].

6.23Mon 2025

Local Production for Local Consumption of Wood, Wooden Towns, and Woody Biomass to Enrich the Region: The Challenge of Fully Utilizing Forest Resources in Western Toyama Prefecture (2)

The western region of Toyama Prefecture is surrounded by clean water and rich forests. The region is now making the most of its bounty, and is close to being self-sufficient in resources [...].

6.20Fri 2025

Reforestation and anti-hay fever measures with low-pollen cedar from Iwate Prefecture Takeei Forestry employees and local residents hold a tree-planting ceremony in Hanamaki.

Takeei Forestry recently held its second tree-planting ceremony at a clear-cut site in a company-owned forest in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. The company's employees planted a small amount of low-pollen pollen from within the prefecture [...].

6.13Fri 2025

Toward "Profitable Forestry" through Whole-Timber Purchase Stockyards and Efficient, Labor-Saving Operations: The Challenge of Fully Utilizing Forest Resources in Western Toyama Prefecture (1)

The sound of engines of high-performance forestry machines echoes through the forests of Satoyama, where a single operator handles everything from felling to pruning and ball-cutting [...]...

6.10Tue 2025

Integrated Support for Reforestation and Management at No Cost to Forest Owners Establishment of a New Corporation, "Niigata Mountain Baton," to Restore Abandoned Forests

In Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, where an increasing number of artificial cedar forests have reached the end of their harvesting season and are being left unplanted, forest owners can take advantage of a new project that will reduce the amount of logging and [...]...

5.31Sat 2025

Forest Conservation Activities Started at Watami Forest in Rikuzentakata City

On May 28, Watami, a major restaurant company, held a forest opening ceremony and forest preservation activities at "Watami Forest" established in a city-owned forest in Rikuzentakata City. [...].

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