2. Promotion of the maintenance of national land
(Promote the proper management of protection forests and effective conservation projects)
Forests where there is a particular need to save public functions, such as water resource conservation and disaster prevention are designated as protection forests and managed properly according to their expected functions
Recently, regionally concentrated heavy rains which cause significant damage, tend to occur more frequently. The construction of forest conservation facilities and other measures has thus been promoted to prevent mountain disasters and improve local safety..
(Measures against forest pests and damage caused by wild animals)
Owing to the expansion in the habitat of wild animals, damage to forests caused by animals such as deer has expanded to new areas. In addition, due to the feeding damage to understory vegetation and soil erosion caused by animal trampling, there is concern about their influence on the public functions of the forest.
To address these problems, it is important to develop and spread new preventive technologies and train damage control experts, as well as setting up damage-preventive facilities, such as guard fences.
Since areas damaged by pine wilt disease have expanded recently to include those at high altitude and elevation, which were previously untouched, it is important to implement measures to prevent the spread of damage at the forefront of damage areas.
As the damage caused by the collective dry down of deciduous oak (Quercus crispula), triggered by Raffaelea quercivora transmitted by the oak platypodid beetle (Platypus quercivorus) has been rapidly expanding, mainly on the main land along the Sea of Japan, it is important to take appropriate preventive measures.
3. Trend in global forests and the international contribution of Japan
Areas of deforestation are still increasing.
Global deforestation and forest degradation reveal a risk of aggravating global environmental problems such as global warming, the loss of biodiversity, and exacerbation of desertification.
To promote sustainable forest management on a global basis, it is important to actively cooperate with developing countries in the implementation of forest management and conservation.
Japan participates in the “Montreal Process”, initiated by the countries of temperate forest zones, excluding Europe, to establish a “Criteria and Indicator” for the purpose of objectively monitoring and assessing sustainable forest management. Japan hosts the Liaison Office of this global initiative from 2007 and is expected to exercise its leadership in this effort.
It is important that Japan play an active role in taking measures against illegal logging by cooperating with related countries.