Analysis of the certified forest products market in Japan

As a major importer of forest products, Japan has a significant influence on the global development of forest certification. We examined characteristics of the certified forest products market in Japan. In addition to analysing chain of custody certificate holders using published directories, we conducted a nationwide survey from October to December 2005 of 132 companies that had obtained a chain of custody certificate from one of the certifying bodies in Japan: the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, or the Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council. The number of chain of custody certificates has increased since the early 2000s and reached 304 by the end of 2005. FSC-issued certification has dominated certificate distribution, granting 93% of all certificates. Paper products companies have constituted the majority of chain of custody certification holders, receiving two-thirds of the certificates issued. Of survey respondents, 77% had sold certified forest products in 2004. The sales value of certified products reported by 84 respondents totalled 24.3 JPY, of which paper products accounted for 90%. The main certified products sold were paper for plain paper copy and printing, wood chips as raw paper material, and printed material such as environmental reports and calendars. Certified wood products such as sawn goods represented only a small proportion of sales. As with companies in Europe and North America, it was not possible for most Japanese companies to receive premium prices for certified forest products. The unique market characteristics of Japan and Japan's influence on the certified products trade are discussed.