International Symposium on Legality Verified Wood 2010
Part Two Report: Activities in Japan to Tackle Illegal Logging Issues
Presenter Information
NameYoshikazu Matahira

Affiliation

Shizuoka Prefectural Federation of Lumber Co-operative AssociationTitle

Managing Director

Career1977

summaryEnteredShizuokaPrefectural

FederationofLumber

Co-operative Association
1979

Seconded to Shizuoka Prefecture Indonesia Corp. as director

1984

ReturnedtoShizuoka

Prefectural

FederationofLumber

Co-operative Association as planning section chief
2001

Appointed as advisor

2009

Appointed as managing director

Report OutlineTitle:Promoting a Joint Government-Wood Producers Certification System

Report Summary
1. Coordinated Administration of Certificates of Origin and Goho-wood Certification
In Shizuoka Prefecture, while cooperating with government policies to promote local production
for local consumption, we are advancing efforts toward constructing a system for the legal andcyclical use of forest resources in the wood industry through joint administration of theShizuoka Prefecture wood products certification system*1 established by Shizuoka Prefecture in
FY2002 and the goho-wood supplier certification system established by the Shizuoka
Prefectural Federation of Lumber Co-operative Association (hereafter, “Prefectural LumberFederation”) in FY2006 based on the Forestry Agency guidelines.
Concrete measures for goho-wood were launched in FY2006. Shizuoka Prefecture changed its
basic policy on the procurement of prefectural environmental products, and the prefecture, thePrefectural forestry federation, the Prefectural Lumber Federation and individual lumber
cooperative associations are jointly administering the group certification system.
Based on consideration of the supply conditions for goho-wood, Shizuoka Prefecture madecertificates of origin and goho-wood certification requirements for wood used in its public works
and in the subsidy program for housing using local materials*2 as part of the prefecture’sprocurement policy from FY2010, following trial implementation in FY2009.
From 2010, certificates of origin were also made requirements in assistance programs forhousing using local materials independently established by the City of Shizuoka, Hamamatsu

City, and other local cities and towns. So certification systems have rapidly spread in thedomestic lumber field.
Meanwhile, the supply of legality verified imported wood is also beginning to gain momentum,with the addition of a category for local resources use (the provision of additional subsidies forhouses using at least 50 percent legality verified wood in the building frame) under theLong-term Superior Housing Promotion Project implemented by the Ministry of Land,Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism from FY2010.
2. Strict Management Using Outside Inspectors
To make the group certification system for smaller suppliers more reliable, the PrefecturalLumber Federation accepts certification applications, with membership as a requirement tobecome a certified supplier, at our individual member associations. The Prefectural Lumber
Federation is working toward strengthening the cooperative structure, while boosting industry
solidarity.
To those ends, the Prefectural Lumber Federation has sought outside experts for all ourcertifying inspectors, right from the establishment of the goho-wood system. We are working tosecure the reliability and transparency of the system through (1) strict certification inspection
committees, (2) practical training sessions for the managers of certified suppliers, (3) site
inspections of certified suppliers and (4)tracing inspections on public works projects. And tospread the certification system and publicize goho-wood we hold (5) system explanation
meetings for designers and contractors and (6) housing exhibitions and goho-wood fairs for thegeneral public.
Separate operations inspections and periodic inspections are also implemented on public works
ordered by the prefecture for the certificate of origin system for prefectural wood, which isadministered in coordination with the goho-wood certification system. The credibility of thesystem for certifying wood produced in the prefecture is rising further.
3. Administrative Issues and Future Direction
The issues regarding the various certification bodies have become apparent from the actual
state of certification of suppliers in the prefecture. Specifically, because various bodies exist thatcertify goho-wood suppliers, the certification bodies must accept applications using suitablejudgment criteria, such as (1) by administrative territory (national and prefectural), and (2) byindustry or business category (industry organizations and the Prefectural Lumber Federation);disclose related information and otherwise recognize their respective responsibilities and roles;
and seek a division of duties accordingly.

Preferential policies to support the use of certified forest (FSC) lumber in public works projects
ordered by the major cities of the prefecture began from FY2010, and wood industry membersin the cities’ surrounding areas are now considering applying for FSC certification (CoC groupcertification) in addition to group certification, which verifies legality.
Considering these trends, the Prefectural Lumber Federation aims to clarify the contribution toresolving environmental problems through the correct operation of the certification system, andto link this to strengthening solidarity in the wood industry through smooth systemadministration while gaining consumer understanding.
The position of legality verified wood has become clear as the act to promote the use of wood inpublic buildings came into effect from this autumn. The Prefectural Lumber Federation willtake advantage of this opportunity to redouble our efforts toward ensuring the transparency
and credibility of our group certification system, which has now entered its fifth year.
*1. Shizuoka Prefecture wood products certification system (in Japanese)(http://www.s-mokuren.com/seido.html).
*2.

Shizuoka superior wood materials housing support project (in Japanese)(http://www.pref.shizuoka.jp/sangyou/sa-380/index.html).