191

Promoting Local Revitalization to Solve Issues on Degraded Forests
in Japan: A Case Study in Oku-Aizu, Fukushima
Makoto OOBA*, Shogo NAKAMURA and Takuya TOGAWA
Fukushima Branch, National Institute for Environmental Studies
10-2 Fukasaku, Miharu Town, Tamura-gun, Fukushima, 963-7700, Japan*E-mail: ooba.makoto@nies.go.jp

Abstract
The degradation of forest ecosystems due to depopulation, aging and economic depression of industries
in rural areas, has been extensively discussed, while at the same time, increased demand for renewable energy
from woody biomass has resulted in much attention to forestry and rural areas. This study provides an
overview of regional circulation in a small woody biomass energy system in a typical Japanese rural area,
Mishima Town, Fukushima Prefecture. To resolve the problem of forest degradation, two issues (energy andforests) in the study area are focused on and discussed in light of the national-level background. We havederived two constraints (circulation radius and feasible size) and conducted four research activities (focused
respectively on forest resources, production, energy infrastructure and the social system and scenarios) for
local revitalization. To address implementation of an energy system, Mishima Town established a council thathas working groups strongly related to our research activities. Finally, it can be stressed that the goal of our
project is identical to the concept of "regional circular and ecological spheres" (regional CESs).
Key words :	cogeneration system, forest management, regional circulation, renewable energy,
woody biomass

1. Introduction
The degradation of forest ecosystems has been
extensively discussed in Japan. This degradation can be
attributed to decreasing population in rural areas and a
decline in local industrial activity, as well as to synergistic
effects arising from these factors. Meanwhile, power
generation from woody biomass has gained attention
because of the renewable energy feed-in tariff (FIT)
system implemented in 2011 after Japan’s nuclear disaster(METI, 2017). Increased demand for woody biomass canresult in higher biomass production and promote forest
harvesting. The latter includes forest carbon sinks andsites where carbon dioxide is absorbed, leading to climatechange mitigation and implementation of policies tosubstitute biomass fuel for fossil fuels.
However, the FIT system is based on large biomass
power plants, which may require an annual supply in thetens of thousands of tons of woody-biomass (Sakai et al.,2017). This implies that biomass procurement from local
forests to produce fuel should require sustainablemeasures assessed through planned deforestation.
Although FIT is a policy aiming to promote thedevelopment and installation of renewable energy at theinitial stage, the permanence of high purchase prices
compared to the price of electricity from conventional
Global Environmental Research
24/2020: 191-198
printed in Japan

electric power companies is not guaranteed. After 2017,
new solar power-generation facilities of 2,000 kW
production or higher were no longer eligible for FITs (andthat number was lowered to 500 kW in 2019). Although
future power plants will need to operate on wholesale andretail schemes, it is difficult to implement them in largescale domestic woody-biomass power plants. Thus,
almost all of them will need to expect conditions ofreliance on use of the FIT system.
This study addresses general issues related toJapanese forests and describes the efforts that have been
conducted to achieve local revitalization and provide
solutions for environmental problems. Subsequently, it
discusses the adoption of renewable energy in Japan
within the context of woody biomass and explores
socioeconomic constraints on the use of forest resources
as a modern energy source. Then it provides an overview
of the regional circulation in a small combined heat andpower (CHP) woody biomass energy system, which is thegoal of this study. It describes the initiatives proposed in
Mishima Town, Fukushima Prefecture, and their current
results. Finally, it addresses the convergence of these
initiatives with similar ones, such as the Regional
Circular and Ecological Spheres (CESs) and Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).

©2020 AIRES

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2. Issues Affecting Forests in JapanDue to a lack of timber for construction in the 1960s,
Japan made a major transition from firewood and naturalforests to plantation forests. However, timber importation
regulations were relaxed and price competition arose
between domestic and imported timber. As a result,timber prices decreased, resulting in difficulties fordomestic forestry industries. Labor forces have declined
due to aging, and there has been a population decrease inrural and mountainous areas; thus a shortage of workers
able to manage forests has arisen. Moreover, someplantation forests were not well managed before the FIT
system was introduced for timber production. The
management rate of these forests was approximately 45%(Amano, 2007).
Forests have various ecological functions, and theirbenefits to human society have ecosystemic importance(ecosystem services). The functions of forest ecosystems
include prevention of sediment discharge, headwater
conservation, water purification, carbon absorption,
timber and forest product supply, and biodiversity
conservation. These functional issues are affected(quantitatively and qualitatively) by forest management
and the degree of forest conservation. Well-managed
forest ecosystems exhibit higher carbon absorption rates(Hiroshima & Nakajima, 2006) and improved
photosynthesis rates after thinning (Han & Chiba, 2009).
In contrast, soils in unmanaged forests have lower waterholding capabilities and exhibit erosion (Miyata et al.,2009).
Those conditions currently prevail because of theincreased demand for biomass power plants. Because
clear-cutting is simpler to implement than thinning, andreforestation is difficult due to economic and laborfactors, resource depletion could potentially occur due tothe lack of adequate systems for achieving a managed
degree of logging and reforestation in the affected forests.
In addition to the amount of resources available, theeffects of ecosystem functions have major impacts onenvironmental issues such as disaster prevention.
In 2019, the Forestry Agency launched the New
Forest Management System, which establisheddistinctions between forest ownership and forest
management, thereby encouraging harvesting by
operators interested in promoting municipal forest
management (Forestry Agency of Japan, 2020; Uchiyama& Kohsaka, 2020). Currently, an economic andsustainable framework for forestry at the municipality
level needs to be developed as soon as possible,
considering the advantages of that system.

3. Renewable Energy and Regional Circulation
3.1 Renewable Energy in Japan
After the first oil crisis (1973), Japan’s dependence

on foreign energy sources became evident along withenvironmental issues due to the use of fossil fuels (airpollution and greenhouse gas emissions). Thus
development of novel energy sources was initiated,aiming to solve those problems. “New energy” is a term
used in Japan in a unique context because it refers to nonfossil fuels under the Act on the Promotion of New
Energy Usage (New Energy Act). Currently, the definition
by law is similar to that of the renewable energy concept,
including biomass, solar thermal energy, snow and ice
thermal energy, along with geothermal, wind and solar
power generation.
The Great East Japan Earthquake and consequent
nuclear disaster in 2011 became an opportunity for Japanto reconsider its energy sources. In addition to theexisting trend in “fossil-free” sources for international
security reasons, Japan considered renewable energy atthat time as a means of decentralizing energy andmanaging local resources well autonomously. In addition,international treaties related to climate change haveprogressed, and promoting renewable energy is consistent
with global agreements to phase out carbon energy andreduce future climate risks, according to the Paris
Agreement. Although solar power was initiallyconsidered as a potential source of renewable energy,
power generation from un-utilized woody resources has
attracted attention, as it also maintains a relatively highpurchasing price under the current system.
3.2 Regional Use of Woody Biomass and its
Constraints
Historically, woody biomass has been used not only
as construction material but also as an energy source. In
Japan, firewood and charcoal were widely used as energy
sources before households turned to fossil fuels in thefirst half of the 20th century (Totman, 1995). Additionally,
firewood forests were located around populated areas.
Currently, however, profits from woody biomass as anenergy source have not returned to their earlier values.
Households need energy for a variety of purposes
and high amounts of energy are consumed. In the past,
the energy demand in Japan arose primarily for warmth,
hot water, and cooking. Nowadays, there is also demandfor cooling, equipment operation and transportation,
which are powered by electricity and fossil fuels (diesel
fuel and gasoline). Consequently, energy demand in thepast was low compared to current requirements. For
instance, the annual electricity consumption in Fukushima
6
Prefecture is 17,207 × 10 kWh (as per the 2010 record
before the earthquake), which represents 6.757 × 106 tonsof woody biomass in terms of heat demand. That amountis approximately four times the joint timber volume fromplantation forests in the five towns and villages aroundMishima. Togawa et al. (2019) also indicate such large
demands (14,000 tons/y in the case of maximum use ofwoody biomass) that is supplied only to Mishima

Promoting local revitalization to solve issues on degraded forests in Japan: a case study in Oku-Aizu, Fukushima 193
compared to the potential supply of woody biomass(4,000 tons/y). Converting that volume of resources into
energy would lead to forest depletion in less than threemonths. In contrast, approximately 40 years would be
required before harvesting a standard cedar forest.
One difficulty with woody biomass energy
applications is the geographical limitation caused by theneed for transporting materials from the supply area tothe production area. To benefit from regional resources,
including forest reserves, we should consider a“circulation radius” (Fig. 1) that is socioeconomically
viable. The radius has been studied in the context ofwaste collection areas (e.g., Fig. 5 in Ohnishi et al.,2016). Although the present study area has an abundanceof forest resources, there is a maximum limit regardingtransportation distances of raw biomass corresponding to
50–125 km based on previous studies (e.g., for largescale power plants in Hokkaido, Sakai et al., 2017).
Furthermore, when a resource is considered an energy
source, the range that electricity generated from it canreach using self-operated power lines is limited to a few
kilometers due to economic constraints (Agency for
Natural Resources and Energy, 2019; e.g., for casestudies, Shima & Nose, 2014; Haruta & Muraki, 2017).
Electricity(Local distribution)

SecondHeat
Woody
Biomass
Raw woodYear

Time scale

Day

Forest resources
100m

1km

10km

100km

Distance

Fig. 1 Circular radius (geographical) and life span (temporal) of
local resources (see text).

Similarly, the supply range when using self-operated
pipes for thermal energy is a few hundred meters.
Regarding electricity, it is possible to transport power
generated by a small local power plant through a power
grid owned by a regional power company that operates
across a larger area. Grid-use fees, however, would be
included in the retail electricity price, which would not be
economical for consumers. Obtaining profits fromregional resources requires socioeconomic principles thatmaintain this “circulation radius.” On a temporal scale,the life spans of local resources should be also
considered. For example, electricity must be consumed
immediately after power generation, while woody
biomass in forest stands can be saved (or grown) for thelong term.
Therefore, utilizing forest resources is not enough toresolve forest and energy issues entirely in a modern
society. That conclusion, however, is based on anassumption of unrestricted forest usage and energy
consumption in an environment where only market
competition exists. We have derived that it may bepossible to construct a system that can provide solutions
to biomass usage and forest issues according to two
constraints described as follows:[1] The geographic and temporal range that allows forresource circulation is limited.
[2] Facilities of feasible size within that range arelimited.
These constraints were not explicit at the beginning of
our research in local areas but rather were establishedmore clearly as our research progressed.

4. Case Study: Mishima Town
4.1 Location and Forests
Oku-Aizu and Mishima in Fukushima Prefecture aresnowy areas located in the southwest region of Aizu,
close to the border with Niigata Prefecture (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 Location of the Oku-Aizu region and Mishima Town.

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According to the Automated Meteorological Data
Acquisition System (AMeDAS) in Kaneyama (a town
located next to Mishima), the average annual temperaturein the area is 10.4°C, the annual rainfall is 2,020 mm, andthe maximum snow depth is 177 cm. Because Mishima
has a robust water supply due to snowmelt, the TadamiRiver has been used as a power source since the end ofWorld War II. At that time, Mishima’s population wasover 7,000. Its current population, though, is less than
1,600, and Mishima exhibits one of the highest aging
rates (53.0%) in Fukushima Prefecture.
The general environmental issues of Japan also
affect Mishima, as forests cover 88% of its total area.
While the town has a wealth of forest resources, cedar
forests, which account for almost all of the privatelyowned forest land, are often owned by small-scaleowners. There is also a lack of clarity regarding theownership of these lands. Timber prices have remained
low for approximately 50 years, and not enough thinningor materials production have been conducted.
Furthermore, the timber produced in the Aizu region
presents issues, such as bending or excessive knots,
rendering it a low-quality product in Japan.
The results of a questionnaire survey on forestrelated awareness in Mishima (Nakamura & Togawa,2020) showed that local people perceive that a
combination of issues, such as the delineation ofboundaries to subdivide forests and unclear ownership,leads to forest degradation. The details of this survey are
discussed below.
Some areas of Mishima have adopted the Fukushima
Forest Restoration Project (Fukushima Prefecture, 2018),
which was implemented by the prefecture after theearthquake and nuclear accident. Future benefits fromassessment of knowledge on forest boundaries throughthe project are expected.
4.2 Toward Renewable Energy from Forests
Aiming to promote forest management and profits
from woody biomass, Mishima formulated the Mishima
New Energy Vision Program in February 2006 and theDetailed Mishima New Energy Vision Program thefollowing year. In particular, these programs proposed
replacing petroleum-based boilers and stoves with units
that can handle easy-to-use pellets as combustible sources
to make use of the town's abundant forest resources. In
cooperation with nearby towns and villages (Yanaizu,
Kaneyama, Showa and Tadami), the Oku-Aizu FiveTowns Revitalization Council was established in April
2010 to achieve biomass utilization. However, the Tohoku
Earthquake in 2011 and major damage from torrential
rains in Niigata and Fukushima have contributed todecreased biomass processing.
The chambers of commerce of 13 cities, towns andvillages in the Aizu area worked together to establish the
Aizu 13 Project Council in 2016, with the participation ofMishima Town and its Chamber of Commerce. The goalof the project was to expand production of materials fromthe Aizu area, obtaining high-performance plywood
materials, and additionally biomass as energy fuelsources. The project is currently being managed andactively implemented by both the Aizu Forest Resource
Utilization Promotion Council and the Aizu Forest
Utilization Organization, based on collaboration with thenational governmental. Our project was affectedindirectly by the Aizu 13 project, but it was not directly
connected to the project.
4.3 Research Activities and Their Outputs
The Fukushima branch of the National Institute forEnvironmental Studies (NIES) holds surveys andperforms studies which are assessed primarily by regional
development researchers. It also conducts collaborative
research with specialists from other universities andinstitutes. To ensure and promote regional research, NIES
signed a collaborative agreement (memorandum of
understanding) with Mishima Town in 2017.
With constraints [1] and [2] in mind, the researchteam listed problems in Mishima and the surroundingarea, initiatives to solve those problems, the effects of theinitiatives, and details regarding the research required toaddress those effects (Table 1).
Further details on the research activities in Table 1
are provided below.
4.3.1 D etailed Survey of Forest Resources, Questionnaire
Survey on Forest-related Awareness
The first problem that arises in forest resource usageis that forest boundaries are frequently not well-definedor geographically accurate, as required for forestry
practices. Furthermore, most forests are unmanaged, andthe actual timber volume of the forest is unknown.
To reconfirm forest boundaries and estimate amountsof resources, we used a drone to take aerial images andlaser measurements. We studied a forest area ofapproximately two hectares in a commonly owned forest
in the Mishima area, contributing to understanding by theresidents. The aerial images and laser measurements weretaken in August 2019, whereas the field studies wereconducted in February and May of 2020 (Fig. 3). With
the cooperation of the Graduate School of Engineering at
Osaka University, we used 3D-point cloud data toestimate tree top positions and crown sizes for each tree
through machine learning. After its use in an initial
analysis and validation, this technique continued to be
improved for accuracy. These data show the amount ofeach type of tree located in each owner's forest and theavailable timber volume. In addition, the detailed aerial
images and point cloud data may also be useful indefining boundaries of forest ownerships and planning
forest practices. Data are currently being compiled forpresentation to the residents of the town and the region.

Promoting local revitalization to solve issues on degraded forests in Japan: a case study in Oku-Aizu, Fukushima 195
Table 1 Problems and related initiatives in Mishima and its surrounding area.
ProblemInitiative

EffectSecondary effectResearch contribution(1) Forest
degradation

Forest management

Forest consolidation, stabilized
production, and reforestation

Disaster prevention,
environmental conservation, andcarbon sink development(2) Decline of
the forestry
industry(3) Reliance on
external energy
sources(4) Economic
decline of local
communities

Promotion of the forestry
industry

Development of raw wood
production with hi techmachineries
Introduction of small CHP,
attracting demand for thermalenergyPromotion of local cooperation

Revitalization of local demandand development of humanresources
Provision of low-cost energy,
energy security, and attraction ofprojects that use thermal energy
Revitalization of local
communities/economies

A detailed survey of forest
resources and questionnaire
survey on forest-related
awareness
Estimation of potential
production and analysis of
the resource circulation area
Energy conversion
technology and a detailed
survey of energy demand
Community system theory
and research on futurecommunity scenarios

Utilization of woody
biomass
Industry, government, andprivate sector initiatives(establishment of councils
and study groups)

about subsidies they would need to keep managing theirown forests, we obtained several answers related tofinancial issues (timber prices/supply chain: 56 responses,
logging/transportation subsidies: 30 responses), as well as
80 responses related to boundary definition/forest roaddevelopment.
This survey received significant attention fromresidents regarding disaster prevention and reduced forest
functionality. Although the Great Tohoku Earthquake andnuclear disaster in 2011 had little impact on the region,
torrential rain and flooding occurred in the same year.
The relationship between forests, landslides and floods isunderstood well in this region, and biomass utilizationplans should be considered.

Fig. 3 (a) LiDAR image (cross section and overview) (b) Data
processing images images (detection of tree crowns and treetops).

This will also lead to higher consolidation and better
forest land management.
Additionally, a questionnaire survey on forest-related
awareness was conducted in 2018 (Nakamura & Togawa,2020). We randomly selected 599 Mishima residents(aged 18 or older) and obtained responses from 264
people (44.1% response rate). The results showed that
76% of the respondents knew the location of the forest
they owned, and only 58% were aware of its boundaries,
indicating a need to reconfirm boundaries. However,
because most owners did not manage their forests, when
asked about owners’ management difficulties, theymentioned “low timber prices” as the most frequent
response, followed by “lack of manpower,” “undeveloped
work roads,” and “unclear boundaries.” Another common
response was “aging of the population.” When asked

4.3.2 Estimation of the Production Potential andResource Circulation Area
A study on the biomass potential of privately owned
forests in the Oku-Aizu area (Ooba et al., 2018) produceda cost analysis of chip production to obtain energy(including logging and transportation). It demonstrated
that, for forestland with extremely low management rates(percent of area managed annually: 0.36% per year), chipproduction to obtain energy was not possible from an
economic viewpoint. However, the study showed that it
might be possible to produce chips at a cost of 7,000
3
JPY/m or less (in a scenario where the amount harvested
was increased by conducting extensive thinning) and that
future production could be ramped up to approximately
10,000 m3.
4.3.3 E nergy Conversion Technology, a Detailed Survey
on Energy Demand
The feasibility of implementing a biomass energy
system was also studied at typical hot spring facilities in
the region (Togawa et al., 2018). Based on data from asurvey jointly conducted with Mishima, energy demandby season and time was estimated in facilities along theTadami River. It was demonstrated that a small biomass
co-generation system (operating continuously during all
seasons) would consume approximately 700 tons/year of

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woody biomass. However, when the economics of this
scenario were analyzed, there were concerns about
profitability.
We installed Home Energy Management Systems(HEMS) in Mishima Town, which are currently studying
the actual energy consumption of houses in the cold
Oku-Aizu region and modeling that consumption. Fromthese data, energy charts for each community in Mishima(Togawa et al., 2019) were prepared and efforts toestimate the distributed energy systems’ potential in termsof demand were conducted (Fig. 4).
Based on this research, Mishima used a subsidy forpromoting smart communities from Fukushima Prefecture
to conduct a foundational study (pre-feasibility study, FS)
in 2017 with a company, Nippon Koei Co., Ltd., onenergy production for local demand using local resources,
such as woody biomass in Mishima. In a study performed
by a different welfare institution, a scenario in whichelectricity was sold to an electric company under the FIT
system resulted in a profitable business and an estimatedbiomass consumption of approximately 800 tons/year.
4.3.4 Social System Theory and Research on Future
Social Scenarios
Constraints [1] and [2], as well as the research
described above, suggested that in Mishima, woody
biomass materials can only be produced as fuel sources at
a relatively small scale. This implies that the town needs
a community system centered on introducing CHP
systems with an electricity output of 50 kW or less. In
addition, we may surmise that it would be realistic to start
the project up relying on the current FIT system to someGeographicaland social
information
on target
settlement

Penetration
rates ofheating andcooling facilities,
boilers,
photovoltaic
panels, etc.

extent to ensure business revenues.
As a starting point for social implementation, in
2018, Mishima Town implemented small initiatives as afirst step towards promoting woody biomass utilization.
One of those initiatives was a Tree Station-style program,which has also been conducted by many municipalities
and non-profit organizations, collecting firewood in
3
December. In Mishima, 1 m of logs can be exchanged
for 4,500 JPY in local gift certificates. The heating andcooling system of the Mishima Local Crafts Museum, acore institution that shares the town’s braided handicrafts
tradition, was switched to a system based on a wood-fired
boiler. This fuel is produced from firewood collected in
Mishima using the method mentioned above.
The research team has not only promoted
collaborative-scientific research in Mishima but has also
held collaborative research meetings with civilengineering, architecture and regional policy officials atleast once a month. Additionally, we have also provided
our research results to the Mishima Town Forestry Policy
Development Committee, through on-demand lectures in
Mishima and public meetings that brought stakeholders
together.
To address the implementation of an energy system,in 2019, the NIES proposed that Mishima establish acouncil. This council would divide tasks related to woody
biomass utilization issues into forest/energy productionrelated (supply-related) and energy-consumption tasks,
and form working groups with stakeholders comprised ofboth local and external parties that could consolidate theopinions of the higher-level coordination council andmake decisions. Therefore, Mishima and four surrounding

Heat and
electricity
demands(monthly andseasonally)

Analyticalresults(Proposals forfacilities andmitigationof climatechange)Fig. 4 Visualization of the current and recommended energy systems in each settlement in Mishima Town (a) Heat and electricity
demands (b) Analytical results: proposals for facilities and decreased CO2 emissions.

Promoting local revitalization to solve issues on degraded forests in Japan: a case study in Oku-Aizu, Fukushima 197
towns established the Oku Aizu Five Towns and Villages
Revitalization Council with a subsidy from the Ministryof the Environment. The council is currently making
efforts to develop an energy system that relies on the useof municipal facilities.

5. Concluding Remarks
The Fifth Basic Environmental Plan approved by the
Cabinet in 2018 focuses on the concept of “regional
circular and ecological spheres” (regional CESs, MOE,
2020). Contributing to that plan, the Ministry of theEnvironment has elaborated several projects based onmodel cases of regional CESs. This concept can beconsidered an integrative version of conventional socialconsciousness environmental goals, such as low-carbon
or decarbonizing societies, recycling-oriented societies,
and harmonious relationships with nature. The
achievement of regional CESs infers the embodiment of
the SDGs. Woody biomass usage, as presented by thisproject in Mishima and the Oku-Aizu region, has thepotential to create a society that can achieve such goals(Fig. 5).
In addition to academic and technological support,
this project will require public-private partnerships.
Several businesses and non-profit organizations in
Mishima are enthusiastic about renewable energy andwoody biomass usage. Creating more effective andsustainable biomass, as well as regional economic
circulation, will require higher logging than predictedfrom the energy center studies and FSs conducted so far.
The amount of wood available for logging is limited,

ForestPromotingDecreased
Management costs
Forestry

however, (and the energy demand is predicted to besignificant). Local operators using local resources willconduct this biomass supply project; therefore, we would
assume that the energy system the town might install
could be a relatively small one and that the service area
could be a district of Mishima (a community). Although
it is small-scale, implementing this community
revitalization energy project will not only ensure
economic profits for the community, but also havedefinite secondary effects in terms of the development ofindustrial and human resources and stable local
employment. This project would have a significant
impact as a local service and could also be an initial step
towards promoting future projects addressing a wider
range of social services, similar to Germany’s Stadtwerke
project (Ando, 2019) and responding to the problems ofdepopulation and aging. This demonstrates the potentialof the project to scale into a major sector in the rural
regions.
We plan to continue our research on sustainableregions like regional CESs, ensuring that the local needs
are considered through their potential environmental
effects, which allows for an integrated approach.
Furthermore, a thorough estimation of future full-scalebiomass utilization is required, considering its impacts on
the Oku-Aizu forests, where the vegetation has remained
unchanged for several decades. We are also planning tobegin research on adaptation to climate change in the
Oku-Aizu region, including a survey aimed at creatinghazard maps for landslides and other disasters, while
actively providing information to local governments.

Promoting
Sustainable Woody Biomass Use
supplies

Supply of heatand electricity
More return toforest ownerConservation of
ecosystems

Wood material

Sustainable
demands

Renewable
Mitigation ofenergyclimate change
Prevention ofdisasters
HEMS, CEMS, IoT

Housing
construction

Circular- andBio-economy

Public facilities

Distributed
energysystemPromotingRegional
Business

Regional
Collaboration

Smart control
Fig. 5 Sustainable revitalization inside Oku-Aizu through the regional circulation of local resources from production
to distribution and consumption as the goal of “regional circular and ecological spheres” (CESs).

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Makoto OOBA
Dr. Ooba heads the Environmental Renovation
Laboratory at the Fukushima Branch of the
National Institute for Environmental Studies,Japan. From 2007 to 2012 and from 2014 to thepresent, he has participated in a study on spatialassessment of Japan’s regional forests using
process-based models and remote sensing by
NIES. Based on these studies, he has analyzed sustainability of forestry andharvested wood products. He has also worked at Osaka University, Nagoya
University and the Tokyo University of Agriculture. He holds a Ph.D. inenvironmental science from Hokkaido University, 2002.

Shogo NAKAMURA
Shogo Nakamura is a researcher in the Regional
Environmental Renovation Section of the
National Institute for Environmental Studies,
Fukushima Branch. He holds a Ph.D. inagricultural science. He has played a central rolein developing the energy monitoring systems in
Shinchi as well as many other areas in
Fukushima. Recently his interests have led him to participate in theEnvironment-Economy-Society Integration Research program.

Takuya TOGAWA
Takuya Togawa is a senior researcher at the
National Institute for Environmental Studies,
Fukushima Branch. He received his doctorate inengineering from the Graduate School ofEnvironmental Studies, Nagoya University in2010. He is engaged in research on mechanisms
for realizing disaster recovery and regional
revitalization by effectively utilizing local environmental resources.
(Received 10 October 2020, Accepted 29 December)