VI. National Forest Management

1. Roles of National Forest Management

The national forests, which are common assets of the nation, cover 20% of Japan's land area and 30% of the entire forest area, and a large portion of these forests are located in the backbone mountain ranges or upstream water reservoir areas.

The national forests, which are directly managed by the National government, are expected to play the roles including: (1) preventing landslides, which jeopardize people's lives and properties, as well as mitigating floods and supplying good-quality water, which is indispensable for living; (2) conserving a precious natural environment unique to the national forests and supplying forest products which are rarely supplied from private forests.

2. National Forest Management under the New Basic Laws (The Basic Law on Forest and Forestry )

Through the designation of protection forest and forest conservation projects to protect living conditions, the strengthening of a safety and disaster-resistance of land and the maintenance of upstream water reservoir areas have been promoted.

National Forest Management has introduced Green Corridors, connecting protected forests and thereby creating ecosystem network, and enhancing the protection and conservation of the forest ecosystem.

In order to contribute to mitigating global warming, it has been promoted to create healthy and vital forests as well as to use wood for forestry civil engineering work and to use natural energy resources within the national forests.

Efforts are being made to supply repair and restoration materials in national forests where historical wooden buildings are located.

Regional National Forest Management Plans are formulated with a hearing for the public opinions and information on National Forest Management is provided to the public.

Nurturing of forests under public participation is in progress by offering national forests as place for various activities, such as voluntary forestry activities.

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