Abstract
This study aims to understand the effective management of small-scale forests by investigating the social characteristics of forest owners of Nichinan town, one of the most depopulated areas in Japan. Specifically, this study focuses on “absentee landlords” who own their property away from their current residence. This study found that 1) many absentee landlords live near Nichinan town, 2) many of them want to manage their forests by themselves, and 3) the absentee landlords who registered and conducted on-site confirmation of their properties have high property awareness and manage their land properly. This case study suggests forest policy that incorporates social conditions of the absentee landlords.
