Abstract
This study clarifies the change in the local wood production and supply structure and the response of the existing competing business entity (Yamasaki Wood Market Co., Ltd.) to the start-up of the new large-scale sawmill (Cooperative Hyogo Wood Center), the material woods of which are mainly supplied by loggers, in Shiso city, Hyogo prefecture. The National Forest and Shiso Municipal Forest have changed their wood supply methods, whereby the National Forest has opted to sell only to the Cooperative Hyogo Wood Center. Conversely, the Shiso Municipal Forest has adopted equity in supplying wood to two companies. In contrast, most other forestry corporations and one forest owner cooperative have retained unchanged methods of wood supply and prioritize the longheld business custom with Yamasaki wood market, collaborating as a group. Yamasaki wood market began to promote tree-cutting to forest owners to increase and stabilize the volume of wood supplied. Consequently, based on two competing companies co-existing in proximity, the volume of wood supplied in that area has increased. This approach to wood supply, as adopted by the local forestry companies, looks set to remain unchanged for a while.
