Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
#### 1.2. Major Programs for Forest and Forestry Revitalization

##### 1.2.1. Revision of Forest Planning System

The “National Forest Plan,” a nation-wide plan of forest management and conservation, was revised in July 2011, as was the “Forest and Forestry Basic Plan.” The role of the national plan was redefined as national rules and guidelines for forest management and conservation. While the former plan defined three functional types of forests according to their expected functions, the new plan abolished these functional types and allowed each municipality to define its own functional types of forests based on regional conditions.

The role of the “Municipality Forest Plan” was also redefined as a “master plan” of forests in each municipality, which provides the long-term goals of forests as well as establishing guidelines for the realization of these goals. The municipality plan also identifies the functional type of each forest area as well as establishing a forest road development plan in forest planning maps.

##### 1.2.2. Assurance of Proper Forest Management

In Japan, some forests are logged haphazardly without planting, which threatens their ability to fulfill the multiple functions of forests. In addition, forests whose owners are unknown are increasing, due to inheritance and the subsequent increase in the number of non-resident forest owners.

The revised “Forest Law” introduced an assurance system for the proper management of forests whose owners are unknown as well as an administrative order system designed to halt logging without permission and oblige those loggers to replant harvested areas. The revised Law also introduced a mandatory notification system that requires new forest owners to register with the local municipality and also promotes the sharing of forest owners' information within local governments.

##### 1.2.3. Efficient and Stable Forestry Management

Given the small scale forest ownership that exists in Japan, the Forestry Agency is promoting the coordination and consolidation of forestry practices among groups of small forest owners. In 2012, the revised “Forest Law” introduced the new “Collective Forest Management Plan System” developed by forest owners or their entrusted forest managers to ensure sustainable forest management and the protection of collective forests (Fig.1-3).

The Forestry Agency is investing in the expansion of the forest road system to support efficient forestry practices. In 2010, the Forestry Agency redefined the durable and simple forest road system as the combination of three types of road, that is, the “forest road”

Fig.1-3: Overview of Collective Forest Management Plan System
#### 2.1. National Forest Management and its Reform

National Forests represent approximately 30% of the total forest area, or almost 20% of the total land area in Japan (Fig.1-4). National Forests perform vital roles in the fulfillment of the multiple functional roles of forests, including land conservation, water resource development, and conservation of the natural environment.

The Forestry Agency had been managing National Forests for the maintenance and development of the multiple functional roles of forests as the “National Forest Management” under the Special Account budget. In 1998, the objective of the National Forest Management was converted from wood production to fulfillment of multiple functional roles of forests by the “Drastic Reform” of the National Forest Management. The principle of the Special Account was also converted from being “independent,” covering all expenses with its own income derived from wood production, to being “dependent” on transfers from the General Account budget.

Fig.1-4: Location of National Forests

In 2011, the Forest Policy Council of MAFF proposed conducting the National Forest Management for the fulfillment of the multiple functional roles of forests and contribution to the revitalization of nationwide forest and forestry, within the General Account budget rather than the Special Account budget with its restriction on income. In response to this proposal, the Diet amended the “National Forest Management Law” and other related legislation in 2012, so that the National Forest Management will be conducted within the General Account budget beginning in FY2013 under the revised “National Forest Management Fundamental Plan.”

#### 2.2. Management of National Forests

##### 2.2.1. Fulfillment of Multiple Functional Roles of Forests

The Forestry Agency has been managing National Forests for the maintenance and development of the multiple functional roles of forests, with the categorization of each National Forest into one of three functional types based on its primary function: “land and water conservation forests,” “forest-human co-existence forests,” and “sustainable resource use forests.” Under this categorization plan, the Forestry Agency has been promoting thinning as a way to meet the removal target under the Kyoto Protocol, the “forest conservation projects” for the restoration of devastated forests, and the development of the forest road system to promote efficient forestry practices.

The Forestry Agency is conducting forest management activities for the conservation of biodiversity, designating National Forests with diverse forest ecosystems as “Protected Forests,” or “Green
Corridors” which connect several “Protected Forests.” The Forestry Agency is also strengthening its conservation works in the World Natural Heritage areas including Shirakami, Yakushima, Shiretoko, and the Ogasawara Islands.

In December 2012, the three functional types of National Forest were redefined into five new types: "landslide prevention," "nature conservation," "recreational use," "comfortable environment development," and "water resource conservation." Further, the amended "National Forest Management Law" introduced a new system in FY2013 that allows the Forestry Agency to manage private forests located in close proximity to National Forests.

Under the new Fundamental Plan, the Forestry Agency will manage National Forests according to the new categorization, as well as proximate private forests, for the fulfillment of the multiple functional roles of forests.

##### 2.2.2. Contribution to Forest and Forestry Revitalization

The National Forest Management has been contributing to the revitalization of forest and forestry nationwide, through the diffusion of efficient forestry practices through contract works in National Forests, and ensuring the stable supply of wood from National Forests, under the idea of the “Basin-based Forest Management System,” which means cooperative management of private and national forests within each river basin.

Recently, the Forestry Agency has been promoting active forest management and the development of the forest road system in cooperation with the private forest sector through the designation of “cooperative forest management areas.”

National Forests play an important role in providing a stable supply of domestic wood, representing approximately 20% of the total domestic wood supply. The Forestry Agency is promoting a stable wood supply through “system sales” contracts with major wood processing companies, such as large-scale lumber mills or plywood factories (Fig.1-5).

Under the new Fundamental Plan, the Forestry Agency will further strengthen the contributions of the National Forest Management to the revitalization of forest and forestry in the private sector, through the promotion of low-cost forest practice systems, support for the development of private contractors, cooperative management of private and national forests in designated areas, and the development of

Fig.1-5: Roundwood supply from National Forests

technical experts to support private forest management.

##### 2.2.3. National Forests as “Forests for People”

The Forestry Agency is managing and conserving the National Forests under the fundamental principle of “Forests for People,” for the satisfaction of the various expectations of people in society. To this end, the Forestry Agency provides access to the National Forests for the activities of various organizations, such as “Forests for Students,” “Forests for Voluntary Groups,” “Forests for Corporations,” and “Forests
for Wood Culture." The Forestry Agency is also implementing "Model Projects" in which a wide range of organizations cooperatively participate in the management of National Forests.

Under the new Fundamental Plan, the Forestry Agency will continue to promote these activities for the realization of “Forests for People.”

##### 2.2.4. Contribution to Regional Development

National Forests are regional natural resources which could be used for the development of regional industries and the welfare of rural communities, as well as being “national” resources. The Forestry Agency has been leasing or selling National Forests to local governments for their regional development projects. The Forestry Agency is also designating National Forests with spectacular landscape suitable for recreational activities as “Recreational Forests.”

Under the new Fundamental Plan, the Forestry Agency will promote the use of National Forests which will help supply renewable energy generated from solar, wind, rivers, geothermal heat, and biomass, as well as ongoing programs.

The Forestry Agency will also contribute to the recovery and reconstruction following the Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred in March 2011, through the regeneration of coastal forests devastated by the great tsunami and the decontamination of forests contaminated with radioactive cesium by the nuclear accident of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Stations of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).

##### 2.2.5. Organizational Structure of National Forest Management

The Forestry Agency has been managing National Forests with an organizational structure that includes the Headquarters, seven Regional National Forest Offices, and 98 District National Forest Offices.

Under the new Fundamental Plan, the Forestry Agency will expand its divisions to conduct cooperative activities with local governments and support/assistance for forest management in private forests, while maintaining its current organizational structure.

### 3. Challenges

For the promotion of further forest and forestry revitalization, improvement of domestic wood production capacity and the expansion of wood demand while considering the domestic and international wood demand/supply conditions is important, as well as the development of a wood processing/distribution system which can respond to the market needs in a flexible manner.

People in the forestry and wood products industry need to share their knowledge of management conditions and strengthen their cooperation with each other. Further, expanding the understanding of the current conditions of forests and forestry among people in society needs to be continued.

MAFF will continue to listen to the views from forest and forestry people, reexamine its policies and measures in light of those views, and revise/improve them as necessary.
In order to reestablish the distribution system to promote wood use for the reconstruction of communities, the following actions are important: reinforcement of the national wood supply capacity for reconstruction, promotion of earthquake-resistant performance of wooden houses, further promotion of wooden structure and wooden interior decoration in public buildings, and development of emergency temporary houses using locally produced wood.

#### 2.3. Promotion of Woody Biomass Use for Energy

As a result of the Earthquake, approximately 20 million tons of disaster debris has been piled up in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures. Woody disaster debris is currently being used to produce wood-based panels and as a fuel input for boilers and power plants.

The “Fukushima Reconstruction Fundamental Policy” of July 2012 proposed the reconstruction of the local economy through the use of renewable energy sources including woody biomass. In Aizu-wakamatsu city, Fukushima prefecture, a power plant which burns thinned wood as its fuel input has already started operation. Construction of woody biomass power plants are also planned in several other locations in Fukushima prefecture.

Since the volume of woody disaster debris is finite, a stable woody biomass supply system needs to be developed in preparation for the end of debris disposal.

“Reconstruction houses” built with wood (Souma city, Fukushima pref.)

“Reconstruction furniture” made with plywood produced from damaged wood in coastal forests

Photo: Reconstruction with wood

### 3. Reconstruction from Nuclear Accident

#### 3.1. Nuclear Accident

MAFF has been investigating the concentration and accumulation of radioactive cesium within the forest stand, including the soil, fallen leaves, leaves, and trunk, at three points in Fukushima prefecture. MAFF is also investigating the concentration of radioactive cesium in the rivers that flow from the affected forests.

In December 2011, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) developed the “Guidelines for Decontamination,” which provide guidance for decontamination activities in general. In April 2012, MAFF developed the “Technical Guidance for Forest Decontamination and Diffusion Control,” providing decontamination methodologies for “forests for daily use” as well as “forests in the neighborhood of communities.”
Currently, MoE is conducting decontamination work in forests in the neighborhood of communities in the “Special Decontamination Areas,” local municipalities in nearby-community private forests in the “Intensive Contamination Survey Areas,” and the Forestry Agency is also working in nearby-community National Forests in the same zones.

#### 3.2. Supply of Safe Wood Products

In April 2012, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) established the "standard values" for radioactive cesium in foods. The standard value of contamination in general food was set as 100Bq/kg. As of March 2012, "shipment restrictions" were ordered for 19 special forest products including mushrooms and wild plant shoots, for which the radioactive cesium was found to exceed the standard value.

The Forestry Agency established “temporary standard values” for radioactive cesium for roundwood and sawdust blocks for mushroom production as well as for firewood and charcoal used for cooking. As a result, the production of mushrooms and roundwood used for mushroom production has declined substantially in Fukushima prefecture, disrupting the supply of roundwood used for mushroom production. In response, the Forestry Agency is providing “matching” assistance to help coordinate the supply and demand of roundwood used for mushroom production.

The Forestry Agency also investigated the effects of radioactive cesium contained in standing wood and processed wood products in February to March 2012. The result shows that the effects of cesium to human bodies are negligible.

#### 3.3. Safety Assurance of Forestry Workers

In July 2012, the rule to avoid human damage from radiation in decontamination activities was revised, and decontamination activities which handle contaminated soils and forestry activities in forests where spatial doses exceed $ 2.5 \mu $ Sv/h were included in the scope of the revised rule. According to the new rule, those activities strictly limit exposure to radiation to ensure the safety of forestry workers.

#### 3.4. Disposal of Contaminated Bark and Roundwood for Mushroom Production

Following the detection of radioactive cesium in ash left after burning tree bark, lumber mills in Fukushima and neighboring prefectures have been required to reduce their shipments of bark, due to the limitation of disposal sites for such ash. The use of bark as fertilizers and beddings for livestock also declined due to the possibility of contamination. Since the affected lumber mills have to store large volumes of potentially contaminated bark inside their mills, the disposal of contaminated bark has become an urgent issue.

The disposal of roundwood for mushroom production which exceeds the temporary standard value is also an urgent issue.

#### 3.5. Damage Compensation

Forestry organizations in Fukushima and other prefectures are requesting compensation from TEPCO for income loss caused by the nuclear accident. As of March 2013, these organizations have asked for 1.5 billion yen in compensation, 0.8 billion yen of which has already been paid by TEPCO.

Compensation for the loss of value in business real estate including forests is still under consideration.
### 1. Global Warming

According to the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report (AR4), warming of the climate system is unequivocal and very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations. The Kyoto Protocol sets legally binding targets for GHG emissions and developed countries are bound to reduce their overall emissions of GHG by at least 5% below their 1990 levels in the first commitment period which covers 2008-2012. Japan’s emission reduction commitment is 6%.

In 2011, the total volume of Japan’s GHG emission was 1.31 billion $ CO_{2} $ -tons, a 4.0% increase from 2010. This volume is a 3.7% increase, or a 4.0% reduction if forest carbon sink and Kyoto mechanism are accounted, from the base year of 1990. On average, Japan’s total GHG emissions between 2008 and 2011 have temporarily achieved the 6% national emission reduction commitment (Fig.3-1).

Fig.3-1: Japan’s GHG emissions for first commitment period (2008-2012)

### 2. Actions toward the Achievement of the Kyoto Protocol Commitment

#### 2.1. Promotion of Forest Sink Activities

Under the Kyoto Protocol, the net change in GHG emissions resulting from “afforestation,” “reforestation,” “deforestation,” and “forest management” can be used to meet emission reduction commitments. Japan set a domestic target for GHG removal by “forest management” at 13 million C-tons/year (47.67 million $ CO_{2} $ -tons/year, or 3.8% of the volume of total emissions in the base year) in the “Kyoto Protocol Commitment Achievement Plan.”

To meet the removal target of 13 million C-tons/year, Japan has been conducting comprehensive activities including the promotion of active forest management, a stable wood supply, and an aggressive increase in wood use. In particular, Japan is promoting “thinning” of forests with a target of 3.3 million hectares of planted forests to be thinned between 2007 and 2012. During the period 2007-2011, 2.76 million hectares of planted forests have been thinned. The volume of carbon sequestrated by forests in 2011 was 13.92 million C-tons, equivalent to 4.0% of overall GHG emission.
in the base year of 1990.

#### 2.2. Afforestation and Reforestation in Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

The “Clean Development Mechanism” is a system defined in the Kyoto Protocol to allow developed countries (Annex I parties) to implement an emission-reduction project in developing countries to earn saleable certified emission reduction credits, which can be counted towards meeting the Kyoto Protocol targets.

The Forestry Agency is currently gathering and analyzing related information on possible sites of afforestation/reforestation CDM projects to help meet the Kyoto Protocol objectives.

#### 2.3. Credit Systems in Forest Related Area

In Japan, several systems provide “credits” for emission reduction or carbon sequestration through the use of woody biomass or proper forest management.

Between FY2008 and FY2012, the “Domestic Credit System” and “Offset Credit (J-VER) System” were implemented to provide “credits” for emission reduction and carbon sequestration. In the forest related area, converting a boiler from fossil fuel to woody biomass and proper forest management through thinning were both covered by these systems.

In 2012, an Ad-hoc committee studied the possible integration of these two systems as the end of the projects approaches and proposed that the new system should be implemented during the period FY2013-2020 and the area of credit use should be maintained. In accordance with the proposal, the new "J-Credit System" will start in FY2013.

#### 2.4. Wood Use for Mitigation of Global Warming

Wood use can contribute to the mitigation of global warming. Wood products store carbon as wood fiber, require less energy to produce than more energy-intensive materials (such as steel and concrete), and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by substituting for fossil fuels.

As tools to help quantify the contribution of wood use towards the reduction of environmental loads, systems such as the “Carbon Footprint” and “Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE)” are becoming popular.

### 3. International Negotiations on Global Warming after 2013

#### 3.1. Results of COP18

COP18 of UNFCCC, held in Doha, Qatar, in November-December 2012, reaffirmed that the “second commitment period” of the Kyoto Protocol will begin on 1 January 2013 and end on 31 December 2020.

Although Japan will not participate in the second commitment period, it will continue its efforts towards emission reduction in accordance with international rules for the achievement of its own emission reduction target

#### 3.2. Forest-related Issues in the Second Commitment Period

As for forest-related issues, COP18 concluded that each party shall submit its annual GHG inventory
information on GHG emissions by sources and removals by sinks from land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) activities including “forest management” under Article 3, paragraph 4, of the Kyoto Protocol.

In COP17, it was decided that additions to the assigned amount of a Party resulting from forest management shall not exceed 3.5% of the base year GHG emissions, that GHG removals through forest sequestration should be accounted under the “reference level system,” and that all changes in the carbon pools of harvested wood products (HWP) can be accounted for as emissions or emission reductions of GHG for the second commitment period (Fig.3-2, 3-3).

#### 3.3. Global Warming Policy in Japan after 2013

In July 2012, the ad-hoc committee on global warming policy related to forest management adopted a decision which calls for global warming mitigation activities through proper forest management and domestic wood use. In the same month, the National Governors' Association, a group of prefectural governors, also adopted a decision which calls for the promotion of forest sink activities for global warming mitigation and the assurance of the necessary budget allocations.

The volume of carbon sequestrated by forests declines as they age. As Japan’s forest resources continue maturing, the carbon sequestration of forests will inevitably decline. To increase the global warming mitigation function of forests, matured trees need to be harvested and replaced with young trees.

Fig.3-2: Accounting approach of forest sequestration for the Second Commitment Period

Fig.3-3: Accounting approach of Harvested Wood Products (HWP)