Towards Business Opportunities in Forestry Rejuvenation

ABSTRACT

Expectations for forestry, as a trump card for the rejuvenation of battered regional economies and a source of employment, have never been higher.

Forestry has become an important regional and national pillar in developed countries with rich forest resources. In Germany, for example, the forestry cluster represents the highest employment generating sector in the country.

Unlike in other developed countries, Japan’s forestry has suffered because of the depletion of its resources for special procurement during the post-war recovery. The trees planted after this period are finally becoming ready to be used for lumber or paper, and, as in other developed countries, opportunities are emerging in forest resource business.

With rich resources as a base, stable and large-scale lumber production would become possible by establishing support systems for small-scale forestry and enhancing forest road networks. This would lead to the creation of a forest cluster, and would also meet demands for sustainable development.

Modern forestry requires advanced technological and management capabilities. As in Europe, experts in forest management and on-site engineers must be quickly trained.

It is also necessary to thoroughly cover all other areas supporting forestry such as sustainable forest management, construction of a system for collaboration among concerned parties, and development of specialized forest machines.