Abstract
Increasing timber production is a critical issue in the forestry policies of local governments in Japan. This study investigated the determinants of log production by employing a panel dataset of prefectures from 2010 onwards, a period marked by a nationwide increase in timber output. Using statistical models that account for both regional structural differences and temporal dynamics, the analysis examined the relationship between log production volume (dependent variable) and five key explanatory variables: forestry labour force, forest road extension, adoption of high-performance forestry machinery, an index of forest management intensification, and forest resource volume. The results indicate that the effects of high-performance forestry machinery are relatively large and have become particularly pronounced in recent years, when clear-cutting activities have expanded. Furthermore, this study discusses policy implications for promoting the adoption of highperformance forestry machinery, emphasising the need for qualitative improvements in forest road infrastructure, consideration of the cost burden on forestry operators, and the importance of ensuring sustainability.
