# Research Trends and Future Direction for Utilization of Woody Biomass in Japan
## 5 Social Impact Assessment of Woody Biomass Utilization
### Factors for Woody Biomass Utilization Success
A well-developed infrastructure can effectively reduce the costs of harvesting and transporting woody biomass [48]. Although infrastructure development cannot be classified as a subsidy, it is typically spearheaded by the government. Regarding how the woody biomass industry can reduce costs, Papers 2 and 6 in Table 4 propose measures that integrate woody biomass businesses with traditional timber businesses. Specifically, they advocate that businesses engaged in traditional wood activities,  
\begin{table} \begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline
**Paper** & **Year** & & **Factors** & **Reference** \\
**5** & 2013 & 1. & Position forest management within the overall system of woody biomass production and utilization, and consider it as an integral part of demand creation (Forestry reformation) & \\
**5** & 2013 & 2. & Multi-agent and multi-scale forest management (Forestry reformation) & \\  & & 3. & Reinforcement of regional economic circulation (Regional revitalization) & \\  & & 4. & Proper utilization of private Energy Service Company (Collaborative activities) & \\  & & 1. & Utilization of government subsidies (Cost reduction) & \\  & & 2. & Combination of wood biomass business with existing timber business (Cost reduction) & \\  & & 3. & Security of multiple suppliers and buyers (Elasticity of supply and demand) & \\
**2** & 2017 & 4. & Creation of supply chains through collaborative activities among private companies, local government, and local organizations (Collaborative activities) & \\  & & 5. & Government-coordinated action (Collaborative activities) & \\  & & 6. & Quality control of woody biomass fuel such as dimensions and moisture content (Quality control of woody biomass fuels) & \\  & & 1. & Improvement of transportation infrastructure (Cost reduction) & \\  & & 2. & Combination of wood biomass business with existing timber business (Cost reduction) & \\  & & 3. & Building trust among stakeholders in the supply chain (Collaborative activities) & \\
**6** & 2018 & 4. & Promotion of regional revitalization (Regional revitalization) & \\  & & 5. & Respect for the values and traditions of the forest owner (Forestry reformation) & \\  & & 6. & Quality control of woody biomass fuel such as dimensions and moisture content (Quality control of woody biomass fuels) & \\
**4** & 2019 & 1. & Ensure diversity among members of organizations promoting woody biomass utilization & [46] \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}  (1) Collaborative Activities  
Collaborative activities among stakeholders in the woody biomass industry play a crucial role in the formation of the supply chain, and nearly all the reviewed papers list it as a key factor in the successful utilization of woody biomass. Paper 2 in Table 4 argues that the government's coordinating role is essential for promoting the development of the woody biomass industry. Paper 4 in Table 4 suggests that liaison meetings between stakeholders in the local woody biomass industry should highlight existing problems and facilitate their resolution, which is key to the smooth development of the local woody biomass industry [46]. A survey of stakeholders in the woody biomass industry in Paper 6 of Table 4 found that improving relationships and trust among stakeholders is crucial because strong business relationships can maintain the stability of collaboration. It also emphasizes the importance of cross-departmental collaboration, asserting that strategies and incentives related to woody biomass should be unified across the entire industry and intelligence transmission in the supply chain should be strengthened [48]. Paper 5 in Table 4 suggests that collaboration among stakeholders in the woody biomass industry can effectively address barriers to its advancement, such as financial (e.g., fundraising and management) and technical issues (e.g., equipment introduction and maintenance) [47]. (2) Cost reduction  
High costs are one of the core issues hindering the promotion of woody biomass utilization.