Development of forest policy instruments in Japan

This paper is a discussion of the development of forest policy instruments in Japan, and an examination of the thinning programs used for land conservation of private forests. Two interesting observations drawn from recent experiences in Japan are reported here: (1) the diversification of targets, which were expanded to include those landowners who have lost their motivation for timber production; and (2) the restrictions on target forests imposed by some local governments using prior agreements or contracts for the purpose of land conservation. The Kanagawa case shows efforts to make various types of owners participate in the program, and improve and diversify private forests by means of a program that combines prior agreements and contracts.