Soil Runoff from Deforestation and Environmental Progress - 1996 to the 2020s

Soil Runoff from Deforestation and Environmental Progress - 1996 to the 2020s

1990s: The Problem Emerges
In the 1990s, soil runoff caused by deforestation emerged as a serious environmental problem in Japan's mountainous regions. Illegal logging and excessive logging, especially in the Kyushu region and the central mountainous areas, caused soil runoff from slopes. Large amounts of soil and sand flowed into rivers, causing deterioration of water quality and sedimentation. Pollution of water for agriculture and adverse effects on the fishing industry became apparent, and while the destruction of ecosystems spread, the risk of disasters due to slope failure also increased.

2000s: Shift to Sustainable Management
In the 2000s, the need for sustainable forest management increased, and in 2004, the Forest Law was revised to increase penalties for illegal logging. In addition, the Law Concerning the Promotion of Measures to Cope with Global Warming, which went into effect in 2007, placed a priority on increasing forest absorption, setting a target of 100 million tons of carbon dioxide absorption per year. During this period, afforestation activities also gained momentum, with approximately 5 million seedlings planted in Gifu Prefecture between 2005 and 2010. Internationally, Japan's forest management has attracted attention, and in 2008, an awareness campaign was conducted in conjunction with the International Year of Forests.

2010s: Climate Change and Increased Heavy Rainfall Damage
In the 2010s, climate change and increased frequency of heavy rainfall had a serious impact on deforested areas, and after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, soil runoff from deforested areas in disaster areas became an issue, especially in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures. In 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted, and Japan set forest conservation as one of the goals to be achieved, leading to research on sustainable logging techniques and soil protection measures.

2020s: Technological innovation and community-led initiatives
Soil runoff from deforestation continues to be a challenge in the 2020s. In the Aso region of Kumamoto Prefecture, approximately 2.5 million cubic meters of soil and sand were washed away in the torrential rain disaster of 2020. Locally, 120,000 trees have been planted over the past five years through the "Green Disaster Prevention Project. Meanwhile, corporate initiatives are also evolving. Oji Paper has planted 2,000 hectares of trees per year through sustainable forest management, and Sumitomo Forestry has reduced soil runoff by 30% with new vegetation base materials that include water retention materials.

Conclusion
From 1996 to the 2020s, Japan's deforestation problem has paved the way to a sustainable future while overcoming many challenges. Through technological innovation, policy support, and cooperation between communities and businesses, efforts to balance environmental conservation and economic development are progressing. These efforts are expected to be the solution to global environmental problems.