• Author ListContributors
  • Newsletter RegistrationNewsletter

Local RevitalizationLocal Revitalization

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

11.17Mon 2025

Geothermal Power Generation: A Circulation Model of Local Production for Local Consumption New Possibilities for Forest Resources Demonstrated by the Independence of Minami-Kayabe and the Cooperative Model of Okuhida

In the domestic geothermal power industry, small- to medium-scale, self-sustaining models have begun to emerge. The symbolic examples are Minami-Kayabe in Hokkaido and Okuhida in Gifu [...].

10.24Fri 2025

Cosmetics Using Noto Hiba to Support Reforestation of Ishikawa's Prefectural Tree Ate NAIA Donates Part of Sales to Prefectural Forest Association Fund

NAIA, which develops the Nature Science cosmetics brand, is helping to build a cycle of sustainable use of Noto Hiba resources [...].

10.16Thu 2025

Warm Ie," a cabin that coexists with the forest in Kitakaruizawa, receives Good Design Best 100 Award for resource-recycling architecture that utilizes local hardwoods.

Kitamoku, Ryu Mitarai Architects, and Mt. Toi collaborated to build "Dankyo" in Kitakaruizawa, Gunma Prefecture.

10.1Wed 2025

Sustainable Socks Developed with Upcycled Cotton and "Wooden Yarn" Made from Yoshino Cedars and Japanese Cypresses Sock Manufacturer in Nara Tackles Regional Recycling

Soki, a sock manufacturer in Nara Prefecture, has developed "wooden threads" made from Japanese cedar and Japanese cypress produced in Yoshino, Nara Prefecture, and "up [...]" recycled from scraps of wood from the manufacturing process.

10.1Wed 2025

Reforestation through "Shower Climbing" Experience Playing in Forests and Rivers: Tackling Recycling-Oriented Sustainable Tourism in Yurai, Hiroshima

The Yurai Tourism and Community Development Corporation, a non-profit organization that promotes tourism and community development utilizing local resources in the town of Yurai, Saeki Ward, Hiroshima City, has been climbing a stream [...].

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 [...].

EN