Abstract
The “Basic Policy Concerning the Security of Forestry Work Force,” which was formulated in 1996, was revised in 2010 and 2022. In the first part, this study summarizes how these changes have led to the diversification of the forestry workforce, which should be secured, and have spread to the forestry work force plans of each prefecture. In the latter part, this study highlights the possibilities and challenges of securing a diverse workforce by examining cases of construction workers, people with disabilities, and foreign workers in the forestry industry. Quantitatively understanding the entry of the construction industry into the forestry industry and the promotion of employment of people with disabilities has been challenging, although individual results have been recognized. Therefore, elucidating the evaluation methods for the next policy change is necessary. The acceptance of foreign labor force into the forestry industry is in the preliminary stages of full-scale acceptance, and an urgent need exists to develop systems for skill acquisition and supervision.
