Niche Markets for Economic Revitalisation of Satoyama Forest ...

ENDNOTES
1. In recent years, the import of cheaper logs, food and
vegetables into Japan from Russia, China and Southeast
Asia have caused people to abandon satoyama as it is
not economically beneficial to produce the same goods
from satoyama. For instance, a report by the Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries indicates a decline in
Japan’s self–sufficiency rate. The rate of vegetables in
Japan declined from 100 per cent in 1965 to 82 per cent in
2003, and that of mushrooms does from 115 per cent to 77
per cent in the same period (The Mnistry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, Wagakuni no Shokuryou
Jikyuuritsu (The Food Self–Sufficiency Rate in Japan), 2004,
p57–58).
2. See Kambu, A. and Nishi, M. “Human Well–Being and the
Restoration of Satoyama”, July 20, 2006, Available at .
3. According to Tsunahide Shidei, Professor Emeritus of Kyoto
University, who originated the term of satoyama around
1960, it means woodlands tied to agriculture as a word
taking the place of “agricultural woodland” and does not
include woodlands used for the purpose of production of
fire– wood and charcoal (Shidei, 2006).
4. The term “satoyama” first appeared in the 5th edition of
“Kojien” published by Iwanami Shoten in 1998.
5. “Ordinance for Protecting and Fostering the Environment
in Hometown Ishikawa Prefecture” was the first
comprehensive environmental ordinance declaring the
“conservation of satoyama ” in Ishikawa Prefecture. The
main constituents of the regulation relating to satoyama
can be found in the “Agreement for the Conservation and
Restoration of Satoyama”. See for details.
6. It should be noted that most evaluation of forests in Japan
are done in the general context rather than from the
specific satoyama context.
7. The forests discussed here include “okuyama”—remote
forests—such as beech forests and oak forests.
8. “Natural forest” is a contrary term to “artificial forest” and
describes a forest that is naturally regenerated, regardless
of the influence of human activity. See for details.
9. Under the definition of satoyama as “environments
primarily made up of forests established through human
interaction”, this would include, in fact, the secondary
forests formed through making firewood and charcoal
and Japanese cedar trees planted as high as 1,000 meters.
However, the altitude (upper limit) of satoyama applied
here is the range following the distinction between hilly
districts—Camellia–japonica region—and mountainous
districts— Fagetea–crenatae region— categorised in the
zonation of vegetation, in addition to the above definition
of satoyama. The upper limit of the targeted area in the
study of “Satoyama Ecosystem Conservation Report” is
also the altitude of 350 meters (Japan Wildlife Research
Center, 2004).
10. However, as data limited to satoyama in Ishikawa
Prefecture is not available, the natural forests and artificial
forests discussed later are based on total forestry figures
for the prefecture.
11. Also called evergreen broad–leaved forests or laurel
forests. They consist primarily of evergreen broad leaved
trees such as Castanopsis sieboldii, Quercus salicina, and
Camellia japonica.
12. This is the policy of cutting of natural deciduous broad
leaved trees and planting conifer such as Japanese cedar
and Japanese cypress. This policy has also been spurred by
innovations in the paper manufacturing industry and the
use of broad leaved trees as a raw material for pulp.
13. This problem can also be confirmed from looking at the
Red Data Book of wildlife in Ishikawa under threat of
extinction (Nature Conservation Division, Environment
and Safety Department, Ishikawa Prefectural Government,
2000). Of the 460 types of plants and animals listed as
type I or type II endangered species, approximately 60 per
cent are species that inhabit satoyama environments.
14. The number of Asiatic black bears that were caught or
died in Ishikawa Prefecture from mid–September, 2004
to mid–November was approximately 170 (Hayashi and
Nozaki, 2004).
15. Blight to pine trees caused by pine wood nematode
transmitted by the Japanese pine sawyer beetle and
generally called pine tree woodworm damage.
16. The proportion of tree types in artificial forests is 71 per
cent Japanese cedar and 12 per cent Japanese cypress
(Forestry Management Division, Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries Department, Ishikawa Prefectural Government,
2005).
17. Although there are various definitions, the Ministry of the
Environment defines it as “while experiencing and learning
about the natural environment and cultural history,
tourism which teaches responsibility for the conservation
of the natural environment and cultural history in the target
areas”. In a lot of cases, the definition must necessarily
include how a ripple effect be provided to the regional
economics in order to conserve regional resources. Refer to
.
18. A form of tourism advocated by The Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries for the purpose of “co–existence and
exchange between urban and rural areas”. This is defined
as “extended–stay leisure activities for enjoying nature,
culture, and interaction with people in rural areas. Refer to
.
19. This condition is described in a “FY 2005 Annual Report
on Trends of Forest and Forestry” (Forestry Agency edition,
2005): “Japan has previously confronted the dangers of
forest deterioration through lumbering practices which
exceeded the regeneration capacity of forests. But this is
the first time in our history where, because the cycle of
logging, planting, and nursing of artificial forests has not
functioned smoothly, we have been faced with a possible
hindrance to the realisation of public functions. The largest
issue we are currently facing is how to proceed with the
maintenance and conservation of artificial forests that
have been grown, in light of the increasing feasibility of
using them as wood resources.”
20. A summary is also provided at .
21. Wood block production is a construction method
(patent currently being applied at patent application
2001–182632) developed by Junji Deguchi, Representative
Director of Deguchi Construction Ltd. located in Hakusan
City, Ishikawa Prefecture. In 2003 it was recognised as a
“wood siding wall filled in frame (WSF)” which would
satisfy “frame requirements for structural strength”
in accordance with section 4, article 46 in the Building
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