Forestry

— Latest update: February 2022 —

With two-thirds of the land area covered in forests, Japan is rich in forestry resources. The country has long been cultivating and planting forests, and the stock of trees ready for harvest is increasing. After prioritising the import of wooden materials from overseas for a long time, the country is becoming increasingly aware of the opportunities that the domestic forests are providing. Total forestry output in 2019 was 498 billion yen, with half of the value generated by the stable mushroom and non-wood forestry goods sector. The government is undertaking efforts to transform forestry back into a growth industry, and the last years have seen plenty of efforts to improve existing policies.

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Forestry Agency Annual Report on Forest and Forestry in Japan FY 2020

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Distribution of the Sector
  • Wooden products
  • Mushrooms
  • Other non-wood forestry products
• Challenges and Political Responses
  • Staff Shortage
  • Dependence on Imports
  • Illegal timber imports and the Promotion of “Clean Wood”
  • Forestland Ownership & Profitability
• Government Procurement of Wood Products
• Annual Report
• Further Reading
• Relevant Organisations and Trade Fairs