The use of wood and wood products in public buildings including schools and government offices is gradually increasing. The ratio of wooden buildings in three-story commercial establishments has grown from 4% to 10% in the last ten years. Recently, wooden bridges are becoming popular with their warm appearance, suitable for local landscape.

In August 2003, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries established the "Action Plan for the Promotion of Wood and Wood Products Use". The relevant ministries and agencies would cooperate to promote wood products use in the government sector.

Currently, new technologies to enhance strength, durability and nonflammable characters at wood products, as well as new materials through combination of wood and other materials, and utilization of wood extracts, are being developed. Furthermore, technologies of liquefaction and gasification of wood biomass for energy use are under development.

4. Toward the New "Generation of Wood"

30% of forest resources in planted forests is 46 years or older and suitable for harvesting. The potential availability of forest resources is improving for utilization.

Wood has various advantages for the protection of health and environment. The range of wood use is steadily expanding through technical development.
The characteristics of wood are summarized as below:
(1)"Eco-Material"--brings less burden to the environment
(2)"Care-Material" --provides healthy and comfortable atmosphere for humans
(3)"Fine-Material" --creates a design-conscious atmosphere
(4)"Slow-Material" --contributes to reinforcing local communities' unique characteristics with strong attachment to domestic climate and culture
(5)"My-Material" --contributes to forest management and conservation through the use of wood and wood products, which is produced from domestic forests, covering 70% of Japan.
These characteristics would lead to the solution of health- and environment-related problems in the society.

Recognizing the importance of wood and wood products use, the new "Generation of Wood" should be created which uses materials in an appropriate manner for Japan's environment. Wood and wood products use, in particular domestic wood use, should be promoted with the provision of various information on wood and wood products.

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