Niche Markets for Economic Revitalisation of Satoyama Forest ...

Standard Law Enforcement Order. Wondering if there was
some way to make effective use of cedar trees thinnings
that were simply rotting away, Mr. Deguchi came up with
this method after numerous trials. It can be said that forest
thinnings were the starting point for this invention.
22. Refer to the web site of Deguchi Construction at
for details.
Compared to the double scaling factor in shear wall
strength achieved by placing 45 mm x 90 mm struts as
indicated in the Building Standard Law, this production
method has been recognised to achieve a scaling factor of
2.37 times and therefore has higher earthquake resistance
compared to standard wall construction methods.
23. Refer to the Japan Log House Association Website at
for details.
24. The current cost for a residential construction with
average scale and specifications using the wood block
construction method is 400,000 to 500,000 yen per tsubo
(roughly 3.3 square meters). This is roughly equivalent to
conventional construction costs, but if costs associated
with transportation, drying, and processing of forest
thinnings can be reduced, it is highly likely that wood
block construction will become less expensive.
25. Firewood, which is the most simple and traditional wood
based fuel, does not require production or processing
equipment. However as it requires significant labor to fell,
cut, and transport and takes up space during transport,
its costs are quite high. Currently, in Ishikawa Prefecture,
purchasing broad–leaved firewood suitable for wood
stoves from a dealer costs 40,000 to 50,000 yen per ton,
including transport—about twice as much as kerosene.
In recent years, in the backdrop of increased interest
in the so–called “slow life” movement together with
sudden hikes in crude oil prices, there has been a renewed
interest in firewood stoves. While users are increasing,
the popularisation of wood stoves is likely impeded by
high cost stoves, firewood and limited firewood supply.
Enhanced supply and better use of forest thinnings could
help expand satoyama sources firewood for modern
heating stoves.
26. Refer to for details.
27. Solid wood fuel formed in cylinder shapes of roughly 15
mm from sawdust, etc.
28. See HM Treasury, 2006; IPCC, 2007; and IGES, 2006.
29. J. Dales. Pollution, Property and Prices (Toronto: University
of Toronto Press, 1968).
30. Mark Jaccard, Sustainable Fossil Fuels: The Unusual
Suspect in the Quest for Clean Energy (New York:
Cambridge University Press, 2005).
31. See World Bank, State and Trends of the Carbon Market,
2007.
32. The amount of carbon emissions is only 25 per cent that
of steel frame and concrete, and the amount of carbon
storage is approximately 4 times that of steel frame and
concrete.
33. Also, according to the building standards law, in fire
prevention districts where fireproof construction is
required, there are cases where wood block can not be
used as is as there are restrictions on the material and
structure of external walls.
34. Japan has several climate change related vulnerabilities,
according to Stern (2006). Climate change will exacerbate
Japan’s existing vulnerability to typhoons and coastal
storms. Tokyo which extends over a flat coastal plain
will be vulnerable both to typhoons and rising sea levels.
Higher temperatures will make rice more difficult to
grow in the south. Fish are vulnerable to rising ocean
temperatures and increased acidity. Major cities will be
increasingly affected by the urban heat island effect and
rising temperatures will make a fast ageing population
more vulnerable both to heat and the spread of infectious
diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
35. As summarised by HM Treasury (2006).
36. Satoyama conservation activities with Prefectural citizen
participation to protect rare plants and animals through
weeding, thinning, and making paths in mixed tree
thickets. This is being performed several times a year at
the Yuhidera Natural Park in Kanazawa city.
37. As one of the regional contribution projects performed
by Kanazawa University, in addition to the education and
research activities utilising the satoyama of the Kakuma
campus, they are undertaking various activities such
as education and exchange activities for citizens and
development of satoyama educational programs. Refer to
< http://www.Satoyama-ac.com/> for details.
38. An agreement between satoyama land owners and
satoyama activities groups and recognised by the
Prefecture and which establishes a system of support
through subsidies. For details, refer to .
39. “Project Team for Promoting Utilisation of Wood Material
supplied within Ishikawa Prefecture” composed of the
related Departments and Divisions has been established in
Ishikawa Prefecture to promote the use of forest thinnings
by public–works projects such as the construction of public
buildings and other public works.
40. Details can also be reviewed at .
41. In recent years, local wood is being integrated into the
construction in schools, daycare centers, and preschools.
Prefecture based materials were used for most of the
interior of the Bujyo Elementary School located in Hakusan
City, for example, which was completed in 2006. Such
practices enable children to come in contact with woody
materials from an early age.
42. For homes that have a floor area of at least 80 square
meters and where at least either 50 or 75 per cent of the
materials used are produced within the prefecture, aid
(decided by drawing lots) is 200,000 yen for each house.
Refer to for details.
43. Japan has the second largest solar PV market in the world,
supported by the Subsidy Programme for Residential
PV Systems, 1994–2002. Although the subsidy is being
phased out, PV still has opportunities in Japan due to the
high electricity prices in the country.
44. Also, electricity generated by solar PV generation is to be
recognised as twice its value for the period between fiscal
2011 and 2014, because of the relatively high costs of PV,
especially compared to wind. PV generating 1 kilowatt will
be counted as 2 kilowatts to encourage power suppliers to
purchase more electricity from solar PV generation.
45. Refer to for details.
46. Calculation methods in Japan for the volume of carbon
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