8.21Fri 2026
Exploring the Potential for Returning Biomass-Derived Materials to Forest Lands Based on Nutrient Data from Combustion Ash, Biochar, Compost, and Digestate
In my previous column, I discussed how to prevent the loss of soil functions in biomass afforestation sites—or to restore those functions once they have been lost—by… [ ]
8.17Mon 2026
[September 16–18] “FORESTRISE 2026” to Showcase the Cutting Edge of the Forest Circular Economy; Experts to Discuss Wooden Cities, Biomass Chemistry, and Profitable Forestry
"FORESTRISE 2026" brings together the latest technologies in "Wood Change"—including smart forestry, forest DX, and decarbonization—[…]
7.21Tuesday, 2026
Maintaining Biomass Afforestation in the Era of Short-Rotation Harvesting: The Potential for Returning Biomass-Derived Materials to Forest Lands
Biomass afforestation is expected to be increasingly promoted in order to achieve carbon neutrality and secure raw materials for biomass-derived products […]
7.9Thu 2026
A Paper Company’s Challenge: Commercializing a Wood-Based Biorefinery—The Forest Circular Economy and the Chemical Industry: Corporate Initiatives Toward the Practical Application of Biomass Chemistry (3)
*Click here for the previous column: Major Japanese Petrochemical Companies Take on the Commercialization of the “Mass Balance Method” Through Bio-Naphtha Imports—The Forest Circular Economy and the Chemical Industry […]
6.17Wed 2026
There are no young trees. If things continue this way, the timber industry will disappear in 20 years—Togawa Lumber’s Challenge: A Circular Forestry Business Model [This Was the Turning Point]
"Right now, more than 80 percent of the trees are 50 years old or older, and there are no young trees. If things continue this way, in 20 years, all jobs related to timber will disappear […]
6.3Wed 2026
Opportunities and Risks of the GHG Protocol's New Land Sector Criteria "Biomass is not unconditionally considered carbon neutral" for the Forest Circular Economy
In January 2026, the Land Sector and Removal Criteria for the GHG Protocol was released. The development process began in 2020 [...].
5.20Wed 2026
Commercialization of the "Mass Balance Method" Challenged by Domestic Petrochemical Giants in Importing Bio-Naphtha - Forest Circular Economy and Chemical Industry: Companies' Efforts toward Practical Application of Biomass Chemistry (2)
Previous column: Producing Fuel and Chemical Products from Wood, etc., and Key Points for Commercialization Learned from Leading Overseas Companies - Forest Circular Economy and Chemical [...]...
5.15Fri 2026
Exploring raw biomass (3) Modified lignin produced by "cooking" suitable for materials
Recently, I had the opportunity to enjoy a French or Japanese course meal and began to experience the depth of the culinary culture.
5.1Fri 2026
Forest Resources into High-Value-Added Industrial Materials: Public and Private Sector Progress in Social Implementation Against the Backdrop of the Forestry Agency's Vision [Trends in New Wood-Based Materials 2026].
Against the backdrop of the profitability challenges faced by Japan's forest industry and social demands such as the realization of a decarbonized society, we have been working on the use of components extracted from wood resources to [...].
4.13Mon 2026
From Construction Waste to Aviation Fuel Feedstock, Taking on the Challenge of Wood-Based Bioethanol Business [Biofuel and Feedstock-Related Company Trends 2026].
Efforts to convert to biomass-derived fuels and chemical feedstocks are progressing on the business, supply, technology, and institutional fronts. Sumitomo Forestry [...].
4.6Mon 2026
Proposal] Bioeconomy Strategy to Domestically Produce Fuels and Chemicals from Forest Resources: Raw Material Issues Emerging from the Risks in the Middle East and a Roadmap for a Forest Circular Economy
The destabilization of the Middle East situation over the Strait of Hormuz reiterates the vulnerability of Japan's energy and economic security, which depends on foreign countries for fossil fuels [...].
2.10Tuesday, 2026
Japan was a "Land of Photosynthesis" - A Vision for a Society Supported by Forests and the Sun by 2050
Today, political divisions are deepening, especially in Europe and the United States, and existing values such as democracy and liberalism are being shaken. Against this backdrop, [...]...
2.9Mon 2026
Turning Unused Wood into Energy: Hita City's Woody Biomass Strategy and Implementation of Forest Recycling
About two-thirds of Japan's land area is forested. The forested area amounts to about 25.02 million hectares (as of the end of March 2022), of which [...].
2.4Wed 2026
Kai City to Use City-origin Renewable Energy to Power 43 Facilities Promoting Local Production and Local Consumption of Wood Biomass Power Generation through Public-Private Partnership
Kai City, Yamanashi Prefecture, will start renewable energy generation by woody biomass power generation using unused wood and other materials in the city as fuel in April.
1.30Fri 2026
Strong Cooperation among Leading Players in Industry, Government, and Academia to Fully Utilize Okayama's Forest Resources [Forest Circular Economy Symposium Report, Part 2
*Click here for the first part of the report: "Okayama Model": Transformation to a Resource Self-Sufficient Nation and Urban Wood Construction, Challenged by Industry-Government-Academia [...] Report of the Symposium on Forest Circular Economy [...
12.26Fri 2025
Producing fuel and chemical products from wood and other materials: Learning key commercialization points from leading overseas companies—Forest Circular Economy and Chemical Industry: Corporate Initiatives Toward Practical Application of Biomass Chemistry (1)
Last time, we introduced biomass conversion technologies. This time, we look at companies that are utilizing these conversion technologies and moving toward practical application [...]
