Distribution System of Domestic Timber for Plywood Industry in Northeast Japan

Abstract

This study examines three timber distribution systems for plywood manufacturing with regard to their structure, function, dealing practices, and territory supplied. These systems were established in the Tohoku region between 2001 and 2003. In these systems, local loggers directly supply a stipulated amount of timber, determined according to the local business situation, to a designated plywood factory. These systems thereby facilitate supply-demand adjustment. In order to investigate their impact, a comparative analysis is performed on data obtained from interviews, statistics, and GIS mapping. The analysis shows that these systems have been effective because of adequate forest resources, the feasibility of low-priced domestic timber as a substitute for imported one, improvements in plywood processing technology, and the existence of private/national timber distribution systems. Nevertheless, although these systems have revitalized logging activities in the Tohoku region, this revitalization has led to conflicting demands for lumber and plywood. An additional finding of this study is that the extent of logging and restructuring of supply in Tohoku's plywood industry vary.