A Town that Circulates the Bounty of the Mountains: The Forest Economy that sprouted in Hokuto City around 2007

A Town that Circulates the Bounty of the Mountains: The Forest Economy that sprouted in Hokuto City around 2007

In the mid-2000s, Japan's forestry industry was stagnant due to falling timber prices, and the "neglected forest problem," where forest thinning was not progressing, was becoming apparent. Lack of care for the forests led to landslides and muddy rivers, which became a social issue in terms of both the environment and disaster prevention. Under these circumstances, Hokuto City in Yamanashi Prefecture launched a registration system in 2007 to connect forest owners and timber users. Under this system, the city acts as an intermediary between owners who wish to provide wood from thinned forests and woodworkers and builders who wish to use the wood. Taking advantage of its location near the Tokyo metropolitan area, designers and workshops in urban areas have also joined the program. Benches and signboards made from thinned wood were used in public spaces and at events, and the project became an effort to visualize the blessings of the local forests. This program attracted attentio
n as an advanced example of linking forest conservation and regional development. It was also in line with the "tree-use movement" and "forest environment tax" promoted by the national government at the same time, and was highly regarded as a practical regional model for a recycling-oriented society. The philosophy of making the best use of local resources in the community is also the starting point for later decarbonization policies.