• Author ListContributors
  • Newsletter RegistrationNewsletter

Local RevitalizationLocal Revitalization

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

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 [...].

8.12Tue 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 [...].

7.25Fri 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. [...].

5.11Sun 2025

Forests as a Starting Point, Their Management and Challenges: Betting on the Revival of the Local Economy with Forestry at its Core

When considering the future of the forest economy, the starting point is the "field" of forests. After working at Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.

5.1Thu 2025

Tono Hinoki-no-Sato" Takes on the GX Challenge: Visualization and Environmental Performance Labeling of CO2 Emissions from Wood Products in the Shirakawa River Basin, Gifu

From the Shirakawa River basin in Gifu Prefecture, which produces famous timbers such as Tono hinoki and sugi cedar, the GX (Green Transformation) of the timber industry is being promoted [...].

4.22Tue 2025

Starbucks and Minakami Town, the "water reservoir of the Tokyo metropolitan area," sign a partnership agreement on forest conservation, promoting the use of wood from forest thinnings at the headwaters of the Tone River.

The town of Minakami in Gunma Prefecture and Starbucks Coffee Japan have entered into a new partnership aimed at realizing a sustainable society that makes the most of local resources [...].

4.12Sat 2025

Fukuchiyama City to Promote "Cut, Spend, Plant, and Grow" Recycling Forest Maintenance, First Public-Private Partnership Model in Kyoto Prefecture

On March 26, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture, concluded an "Agreement on Promotion of Circulation-Oriented Forest Maintenance" with Fukuchiyama District Forest Association and Ito Lumber. This [...].

4.2Wed 2025

Nippon Paper Industries and Kosai City Sign Sustainable Forestry Collaboration Agreement to Promote Zero Carbon in the Region by Creating J-Credits

Nippon Paper Industries and Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture, signed an "Agreement on Sustainable Forestry Cooperation" on March 27. The city's forestation lands under a division contract (Kosai [...]...

EN