2.1 State of Forestry in Japan
2.2 Rise in Expectations Toward Forest Functions for Public Benefit
Japan's forest resources have been improved on the basis that the diverse functions of forests should all be discharged to a high degree taking into consideration the needs of the public and natural, social and economic conditions.
As a result, more than 10 million ha of planted forest have been established and growing stock has been increasing steadily. However, most of the forest needs tending and thinning. Although growth will slow down as planted forests which are now in a stage of vigorous growth gradually reach maturity, it is anticipated that the growing stock will continue in an upward direction and the capacity to supply timber will increase. Accordingly, predicting that there will be a global shortage in timber over the long term, it appears that the importance of a stable supply of timber will continue to increase, taking into consideration fulfilment of the public functions of the forest.
Unfortunately, the forestry and wood industries to improve and utilize Japan's forest resources, are now in a difficult situation due to declining profitability of forest due to lower prices of timber. As a result, there is lower motivation level of forest owners, such as forestry households and delays in tending and thinning. There is also a decrease in forestry labour, an ageing society, deterioration in the profitability of processing and distributing sectors, and change in timber demand structure. The stagnation in the activities of forestry production is contributing to a lower level of vitality in rural communities where the degree of economic dependency on timber-related industries is high and depopulation in such communities is advanced.
Under these circumstances, forests where appropriate management has not been carried out and forests owned by absentee landowners have been increasing. Therefore there is apprehension over whether these circumstances will interfere with not only the effective utilization of timber resources but also the role of the public functions played by the forest.
Accordingly, it is necessary to establish effective and profitable forestry management by considering changes in the timber demand structure brought on by the diversification of architectural methods and types of materials used for housing structures, through the promotion of investments, the integration of forestry operations via contracts and the reduction of labour and other costs for production. It is also necessary to adapt implementation of various types of management to their objectives and to each forest's natural and social characteristics.
In addition to such measures, in order to support the steady improvement of forest resources when there is stagnation of activities in forestry production, it is necessary to promote forest resources improvement by the cooperation of between upper and lower stream people, and to strengthen measures to promote public participation in forest resources improvement schemes and involvement of public organizations.
Since time immemorial, it was recognized that due to Japan's steep topography and high precipitation, the decrease or devastation of forests increases the frequency of disasters such as erosion and floods. Forests also play an important role in the supply of irrigation water for rice paddies, nutrient, and in increase of fish production. Consequently, in some specified forests felling has been prohibited. Moreover, forests for headwater conservation have been created by planting seedlings in the upper reaches of watersheds in the mountains. Improvement of forest planning and protection systems have been playing a great role, which is enabling the country to meet a rise in the demand for protecting and tending forests from disorderly utilization, which could pose a public threat.
Furthermore, due to recent natural disasters and water shortages, public expectations on the role of forests, which aid in the prevention of disasters, and provide a stable supply of good quality water, have been increasing. Accordingly, it is necessary to improve forests in order to prevent disasters in mountains such as land slides, erosion or avalanches. At the same time, it is necessary to improve forests in order to promote headwater conservation for the alleviation of water shortages and floods by stabilizing stream flow. In such cases, by taking into consideration the great effect that has on lower stream areas, it is important to promote further improvement based on river basins.
Recent changes in lifestyle stress mental, spiritual and cultural values rather than material well being. As a result, expectations toward contact with forests and conservation of biological diversity have been increasing. In keeping with this, the importance of roles discharged by forests including those in the suburbs of cities on the aspects of health, culture and education have been increasing. Furthermore, in line with the progress of urbanization, demands for the environmental functions of the forest, such as air purification and prevention of noise, have been increasing.
Consequently, regardless of whether forests they are planted or natural, whether they are forests where felling, planting and weeding are done, forests where the ecology of wildlife can be observed, where the beauty of the four-seasons can be enjoyed, where the environment can be preserved by preventing the effects of noise and wind, or where it is possible to carry out activities for promoting health by utilizing biologically active substances, it is important to secure diverse forests suitable for the various needs and improve these forests in an appropriate manner.
The above-mentioned benefits from the various functions of forests are accorded great importance by and have a wide influence on the public, irrespective of region either rural or urban. Accordingly, it is important to secure these functions in an appropriate manner and with public consensus.
