研究室紹介

Forest Policy

Socioeconomic studies on institutional designs and policies for increasing multifunctional roles of forests, restructuring of ownership and management of forests, stabilizing employment of forest workers, utilizing forest resources and distributing forest products, revitalizing mountainous communities, and improving local people’s livelihoods through participatory forest management in Asia.

Research Interests

About 70% of Japan's land area is covered by forests. People's lives and forests have had a close relationship throughout its long history. To fulfill the "Multifunctional Roles of Forests," as many people now know, in a sustainable way, it is not enough that forests merely exist; "proper management" is necessary. Moreover, 80% of Japan's forests are located in mountainous areas. Therefore, the sustainable development of mountain village communities is also vital for the "proper management" of forests. In contrast, looking at the world, deforestation is a significant problem in some regions, including tropical forests. Studying the relationship between forests and people in historical, social, and economical ways, and elucidating measures for maintaining and forming "good" forests is essential for promoting a sustainable society. We (Laboratory of Forest Policy) approach the relationship between forests and people from a humanities and social science perspective.

Keyword of Research Area