2015 Volume 61 Issue 1 Pages 3-14
Purposes of national forest management in Japan had not been designated since its beginning in Meiji Era until recent years. Timber supply and contribution to the national finance were the two major roles of national forest until the end of World War II, and three major mission, i.e. environmental functions, timber production, and contribution to the local society, was launched after the high economic growth period. After the fundamental reform in 1998, environmental function became the main purpose of national forest management. However, adequate management is not performed due to lack of personnel and funds. In cases of overseas, purposes of national forest are to contribute to the public ecologically, economically and socially. National forest in Japan now is in a great opportunity to realize sound forest management for the public needs because of abolition of the independent accounting system.
