2026 Volume 34 Issue 2 Pages 1-12
Keito Mineo, Koji Matsushita: Long-term Instability of the Forest Planning System and Measures for Securing Large-diameter and Hardwood Timber in Japan. Ap. For. Sci. The forest planning system, whose reason for existence is the long-term nature of forest management, was examined regarding the long-term positioning of the production of large-diameter timber and broadleaf timber in three national-level plans. The analysis also investigated the factors behind this positioning and proposed measures for securing large-diameter and broadleaf timber under the current system. All published national-level plans of the three systems were collected and analyzed. As a result, eight points of contention regarding the production of large-diameter and broadleaf timber were detected and it was revealed that many of the descriptions were unstable. The forest planning system, whose raison d'être is the long-term nature of forest management, was examined regarding the long-term positioning of the production of large-diameter timber and broadleaf timber in national-level plans. The analysis also investigated the factors behind this positioning and proposed measures for securing large-diameter and broadleaf timber under the current system. The factors were considered to be:1. the marginality and ultra-long-term nature of large-diameter and broadleaf timber production;2. the dual nature of the forest planning system;3. The lack of specific mechanisms to ensure ultra-long-term initiatives extending beyond the standard planning period. Two directions for securing large-diameter and broadleaf timber were proposed: individual long-term plans; linking them with achieving public benefit functions.
