Hokkaido - Illegal Logging Case - July 2001
Large-scale illegal logging has been uncovered in state-owned forests in Hokkaido. In this incident, valuable forest resources, including Abies sachalinensis and larch, were logged without permission, mainly in the central Hokkaido area, and the amount is estimated to reach approximately 2,500 cubic meters per year. It has been confirmed that the logged timber was exported from the Port of Tomakomai in Hokkaido to overseas markets including China and Korea, and some of the timber was also supplied to domestic building material manufacturers.
Involved in this illegal activity was a lumber distributor headquartered in Sapporo City, who, together with several partner companies, falsified distribution routes. In particular, the company is alleged to have falsified permits to make the transactions appear legitimate, and to have used small local logging companies to conceal evidence. As a result, illegal logging had a negative impact on the local economy, and the local government and forest protection groups strengthened their countermeasures.
The environmental impact is also serious, with soil runoff rapidly progressing on the land after logging, increasing the risk of contamination to the adjacent Kushiro Marshland. The Ministry of the Environment and the provincial government have initiated a reforestation project to reforest the area and plan to reforest approximately 500 hectares by 2025. In addition, surveillance cameras are being installed and drones are being used to strengthen monitoring of illegal activities.
The incident has drawn domestic and international criticism and highlighted the challenges of Japan's forest resource management system. A new management system is being considered to strengthen timber traceability, and the entire timber distribution industry needs to regain trust. Furthermore, the parties involved are expected to be fined more than 150 million yen.
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