## Chapter II Recovery and Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake

### 1. Recovery of Forest, Forestry, and Wood Products Industry

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, there were nearly 4,000 reports of forest-related damage in the 15 prefectures stretching from Aomori to Kochi. The Forestry Agency is implementing recovery works of damaged forest conservation facilities, forest roads, and collapsed hillslopes.

The Earthquake and resulting tsunami damaged a number of plywood mills and paper mills, suspending the distribution of roundwood for plywood production and wood chips for paper production. In response, the Forestry Agency is promoting the redirection of roundwood distribution from damaged mills to undamaged mills in remote areas while subsidizing the additional distribution costs.

The Earthquake and resulting tsunami damaged 115 wood processing mills, including six plywood mills and 71 lumber mills. The Forestry Agency is assisting in the rationalization/recovery of wood processing/distribution facilities. As of July 2012, 96 wood processing mills have resumed production, with the lumber production volume in the Tohoku region reaching its pre-earthquake level.

2. Contribution of Forest, Forestry, and Wood Products Industry to Reconstruction

#### 2.1. Restoration of Coastal Forests

Coastal forests in Japan have been developed and maintained to protect coastal communities from strong winds, sand storms, and salty breezes in coastal areas since the 17 $ ^{th} $ century. In the Great East Japan Earthquake, 140km of coastal forests located between Aomori and Chiba prefectures were heavily damaged by the great tsunami.

The Forestry Agency is conducting recovery works in the damaged coastal forests, with a goal of building “berms” for replanting trees along the coasts within five years, and completing the recovery works within ten years. In the recovery works, the Forestry Agency is promoting the use of recycled materials derived from disaster debris which are properly handled in accordance with related legislations and safety guidelines. The Forestry Agency is encouraging private organizations including NPOs and private companies to participate in planting and maintaining seedlings.

For the success of the restoration of coastal forests, the supply of a large number of seedlings needs to be assured, as well as ensuring the continuous treatment of planted trees, including weeding and thinning.

#### 2.2. Promotion of Wood Use for Reconstruction of Communities

Since more than 370,000 houses were destroyed in the Earthquake and resulting tsunami, the rapid provision of emergency shelters for refugees became an urgent issue. In response, local governments provided approximately 53,000 “emergency temporary houses,” with a quarter of those houses being built with a wooden structure. Wooden emergency temporary houses have received a good reputation, in that they are comfortable for living and are easy to renovate.

Currently, many local governments are planning to build wooden “reconstruction houses” for disaster victims, local organizations are proposing to rebuild damaged wooden houses, and wood products companies are assisting local governments to use wood in the reconstruction of communities.