The book introduces unique roles and teachings of Japanese Gardens in Kanazawa City in a relation with human society and it is breaking new ground for Kanazawa’s sustainable future. 

From January 1, 2016 until 2030, United Nations adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), with 17 goals and 169 targets, to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. These goals are applied to all countries and regions, and for the next 15 years they will be the critical tools in the dialogs to solve environmental, economic and social issues. Youth capacity development towards those issues will be essential to ensure the successful achievements of those goals. This Workshop is jointly created by Kanazawa University and United Nations University, and it aims to create the platform for the younger generations to come together and deepen the discussions on SDGs and share the regional issues.

In Kanazawa City, many historical heritage sites, such as buildings, irrigation canals, gardens, and sacred forests, reflect a deep connection between culture, nature, and history. The City of Kanazawa actively conducts research and preservation efforts to pass these heritage treasures to future generations.

As part of these initiatives, Kanazawa City is hosting the “Kanazawa Historical Heritage Exploration Month,” from September 28th to November 30^th, and OUIK is supporting this program.

During these months, multiple events are underway to experience the city’s historical heritage, including the event that was held on October 12^th at the Nishi Family Garden, which was recently inscribed in the process to be designated as a national scenic spot.

Invited by Kanazawa Cultural Department, OUIK’s Research Fellow Dr. Juan provided a lecture and garden tour for 43 attendees.

The event was attended by the Mayor of Kanazawa City, Takashi Murayama, who opened with an introduction, highlighting the importance of Kanazawa’s garden culture and its growing international recognition.  He acknowledged the city’s designation as a UNEP Model City for the Generation Restoration project and expressed gratitude to OUIK for its vital role in promoting Kanazawa’s environmental, economic, and cultural values through the Sustainable Nature Project.

In the presentation, Dr. Juan began by describing the natural features surrounding Kanazawa, including its mountains and abundant water resources. He highlighted the unique qualities of Kanazawa’s gardens, shaped by the Hokuriku region’s climate and a supportive social structure established by the Maeda clan in the 16th century. This system allowed a middle class of artisans to flourish, many of whom sought to recreate a miniature Kenrokuen in their homes, nourished by the local canal network.

Dr. Juan then detailed the network of canals and gardens that still exist in the city today.  He addressed the challenges these gardens face due to depopulation and lack of maintenance. In the second part of the presentation, he emphasized how this connectivity between canals and gardens is essential for maintaining ecological functions and supporting biodiversity.

To prove this point, Dr. Juan shared findings (2021.9, 2021.11) from the wildlife survey conducted in thirty city gardens, using Mr. Nishi’s garden as an example.

This survey, which used different methods like in situ observation, sensor cameras, IC recorders, and DNA analysis across various seasons, identified valuable species such as the Ayu fish (Plecoglossus altivelis), Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), Euphaedusa tau snail, and fireflies (Lampyridae).

All these results reinforce the idea of ​​the strong connection between cultural preservation and natural conservation since many of these animals have established their habitat in the gardens because they found an environment protected from rapid urbanization, and today, they represent true natural reservoirs.

Through Dr. Juan’s presentation, participants gained a deeper appreciation for the aesthetic, cultural, and ecological values ​​of the Kanazawa Gardens. The discussion emphasized establishing monitoring systems to track animal life in the coming years to ensure ecological continuity. After the presentation, the attendees freely walked around the garden, enjoying a sunny pre-autumn day.

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*About Nishi Family Garden: It was created in 1916, Taisho period, in a residential area of ​​the old city, Nagamachi, and has retained its original appearance since then. The adjacent Onosho water canal irrigates the central garden pond, which is surrounded by impressive and large landscape stones, providing from various places of Japan; they are beautifully displayed together with arched bridges and water basins, balanced with high artificial hills located at the rare part of the garden, planted by native vegetation such as pine trees, azaleas, mapples etc, providing to the viewer a deep sense of space and secluded atmosphere reverberating the features of Kanazawa nature.

Source: https://www4.city.kanazawa.lg.jp/soshikikarasagasu/bunkazaihogoka/gyomuannai/3/1/1/siteibunkazai/5/5826.html

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Check about the event on Kanazawa City Official Youtube Channel 

The final presentation session for the which was newly launched by OUIK this fiscal year, took place on September 16, 2024. The aim of this program is to cultivate global leaders from the local community to tackle global challenges such as sustainable development and climate change. Thirteen high school students from Kanazawa City participated and presented the results of their six-month study on local environmental issues and climate change. 

During the presentation, the 13 participating high school students shared the outcomes of their inquiry projects on local environmental issues, which they worked on during their summer vacation. Each student presented solutions and proposals they developed addressing the impacts of climate change and specific environmental problems in their region, actively responding to questions from the audience. 

The themes presented included: 

– Utilization of abandoned farmland 
– Moving away from a car-dependant society 
– Proposals for improving ports and surrounding environments 
– Reducing emissions of alternative fluorocarbons 
– The relationship between Ishikawa/Kanazawa and water 
– Green infrastructure in Kanazawa 
– Circular economy 

The students’ presentations were based on specific data and often suggested realistic solutions. Notably, proposals that included collaboration with local residents and cooperation with government authorities garnered significant interest from participants. 

Next Step: Delegation to the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29)

Following the presentation, the participating students underwent individual interviews, and Kanazawa Izumigaoka High School student Nanako Kaji and Kanazawa University High School student Mari Honda were selected. These two will represent the UN University delegation and Kanazawa’s youth at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled to be held in Azerbaijan this November. They are expected to actively voice the perspectives of Kanazawa’s youth on an international stage and contribute to global climate change initiatives. 

This presentation event served as a highly meaningful opportunity to showcase how local youth engage with global issues and propose solutions from their own perspectives. Participants, inspired by the students’ passion and initiative, hold great expectations for their growth as leaders who will support not only their local communities but also the future of the world. 

Updates on the activities of the members selected for COP29 will be communicated through the official website and social media of the United Nations University OUIK, so please stay tuned!

Click on the link below to know more about OUIK’s Youth Empowerment Program:

Leadership Development Program for the Next Generation: Changing the World from Kanazawa, Ishikawa 2024 (Youth Empowerment Program)

OUIK’s Researcher, Dr Juan, has initiated Participatory Action Research (PAR) as part of the Sustainable Urban Nature Project in the Kikugawa district, Kanazawa City. This year, emphasis is placed on citizen participation, environmental conservation, and revitalization of neglected spaces in the region through comprehensive research.

This Participatory Action Research (PAR) activity includes collaborative problem-solving, raising awareness, and empowering citizens to adapt effectively to economic and environmental changes.

The PAR initiative in Kikugawa aims to cultivate a nature-rich community through the following five key actions:

1. Promoting green (urban nature) growth
2. Monitoring biodiversity
3. Maintaining green spaces
4. Co-creating community gardens
5. Encouraging eco-tourism

To kick off the PAR activities, the first session titled “Green Growth through the Planting of Plants” was held on May 14. Fifteen predominantly female participants engaged in discussions.

Dr Juan introduced PAR in the Kikugawa district and discussed the benefits and challenges of local greening efforts. Subsequently, participants, under the guidance of a local gardener, engaged in planting activities, sharing insights on land preparation, planting techniques, and maintenance.

Following the planting session, Juan evaluated participants’ awareness of nature’s benefits, challenges in expanding nature-rich communities, and indicators of strengthened community cohesion through discussions and surveys.

The next PAR session is scheduled for June 28. This session will primarily focus on biodiversity monitoring, with citizen scientists conducting firefly surveys along the Kuratsuki water canal and in two designated gardens within Kikugawa.

This project continues to drive positive change in the Kikugawa district, leveraging community participation and sustainable practices to create a more nature-rich and resilient urban landscape.

Kanazawa City has been recognized this year as a model city for urban ecosystem restoration in the “Generation Restoration Project,” which is part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration resolved at the UN General Assembly in March 2019. This project aims to implement a package of measures to address the political, technical, and financial challenges to promote ecosystem restoration in urban areas within the framework of the “UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the Global Biodiversity Framework” (in particular, Target 12).

At the core of the project will be 8 pilot cities and 11 model cities selected through a September 2023 selection process. These cities will support each other, particularly the pilot cities, in scaling up the implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS).

From December 13 to 15, 2023, representatives, sponsors, and experts from the pilot and model cities gathered in Paris, France, for a three-day kick-off meeting and workshop. They shared successful examples and project plans from their respective cities, engaging in discussions that included expert input. Yoko Tomita (Programme Coordinator, UNU-IAS OUIK), represented Kanazawa City and shared examples of urban nature conservation and restoration efforts in the city. She particularly focused on biodiversity initiatives that leverage historical and cultural landscapes, such as irrigation systems and Japanese gardens, as well as responsible tourism strategies implemented as part of the SDG Future Cities initiative. Participants provided feedback emphasizing that “the protection of the landscape through the preservation or restoration of cultural heritage, along with the concurrent protection of urban nature and biodiversity, is unique and reflects the cultural identity of the region.”

Toronto and Seattle, also model cities, introduced their conservation efforts regarding urban and suburban forests, alongside volunteer initiatives.

The workshop included a guided tour of Paris led by a city official. The tour featured the Jardins de l’Archipel des Berges de Seine Niki de Saint-Phalle, a small park created by connecting five moored barges along the Seine River, as well as community gardens, pedestrianized streets near schools, and areas adorned with flowerbeds and trees. The official noted, “Until a few years ago, there were only three types of fish in the Seine River, but now there are dozens of species. Along with this, the number of bird species living in Paris has also increased. One of the reasons for the success of the project was the subsidies provided to farmers in the upstream areas to promote organic farming without the use of pesticides, ultimately improving the river’s environment.”

One of the key purposes of travel is “food.”

Ishikawa Prefecture is home to an abundance of ingredients nurtured by its rich natural resources from both the sea and land. The Kaga region has developed a unique culinary culture that evolved during the Edo period, influenced by both samurai and commoners, while the Noto region has its own distinctive food culture shaped by its harsh natural environment and vibrant festival traditions. Many domestic and international travelers visit Ishikawa specifically to enjoy this delightful “food.”

However, alongside this appealing culinary heritage, there are numerous challenges such as the preservation of these traditions, a lack of successors among producers, and food waste. In the third installment of this seminar, we learned about efforts and challenges to achieve more sustainable tourism through discussions with chefs and culinary researchers, all centered around the theme of food.

An everyday food issue that impacts the entire planet

To begin, Yuya Tsuda, a researcher at OUIK, introduced the topic ” Food Tourism and the SDGs”. He presented examples of domestic and international tourism related to food. It was noted that “Japanese cuisine” is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and that it is said to contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goals 2, 4, and 12.

Next, Sayako Koyama, a researcher at OUIK, gave a lecture titled “The Connection Between Food and the SDGs & Introduction to OUIK’s Initiatives.” She presented several critical issues: more than 60% of food in Japan is dependent on imports, 6.46 million tons of food are wasted annually, the sustainable fish stock is continuously decreasing due to overfishing, and the increasing deforestation of tropical rainforests to produce palm oil—an ingredient used in many food products—is leading to a loss of rich biodiversity in other countries. These points emphasized the close connection between food issues and our daily lives.

On the other hand, it was mentioned that Ishikawa Prefecture has many positive aspects that can contribute to the SDGs. An example of this is the world agricultural heritage known as “Noto’s Satoyama Satoumi.” In Noto, there is a tradition of producing food locally and effectively utilizing that food, which is closely related to the SDGs. The richness of both land and sea not only helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by minimizing the transportation of ingredients from far away but also contributes to climate change mitigation. We must also not forget the existence of traditional wisdom that allows for the long-term preservation of harvested goods, such as through fermentation, without the use of electricity, thereby reducing waste.

The wisdom of growing and utilizing food, eating without waste, and having a heart of gratitude is essential knowledge for addressing various global challenges. Koyama emphasized that it is very important to pass these teachings on to the next generation of children and to share them with the world.

As part of the initiatives by the UNU-IAS OUIK, we have created a video and a picture book titled “Let’s Make a Harvest Feast!” to convey the richness of agriculture, nature, and culture in Noto to children. Additionally, many individuals who know the traditional knowledge are the elderly, so we believe we can contribute to the preservation of local knowledge by documenting it in videos and sharing them on YouTube. Please here to watch them.

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Guest speakers presented their individual case studies

Naoko Taniguchi, a director at Kohaku Co., Ltd., is a culinary researcher and food coordinator who is actively engaged in sharing Kanazawa’s culture and regional food heritage through experiential cooking programs for inbound visitors. She collaborates with university students on initiatives to preserve and promote local culinary traditions. Additionally, she has a close relationship with Omicho Market, where she implements food education programs like the “Parent-Child Omicho Experience.” She also manages the gourmet e-commerce site “Ichiba no Hako,” which features local delicacies, working alongside market vendors to encourage more people to visit Kanazawa.

In the 2021 Michelin Guide for Hokuriku, Chef Umetaro from “respiración” in Kanazawa received two stars and a Green Star, highlighting the richness of regional ingredients. He shared some pressing issues, such as overfishing, the aging of local farmers, and a lack of successors, which has led to a decline in the care for the satoyama and its ecosystems. He pointed out that without successors, not only does food production diminish, but the traditional skills passed down through generations are also lost, along with the culture of the area. Reflecting on the question, “What can chefs do?” he partnered with like-minded chefs in Ishikawa Prefecture to establish the general incorporated association NOTOFUE. Their initiatives include utilizing underused fish, such as types of sea urchin previously targeted for culling, and working to connect the environment and resources of Noto’s satoyama and satoumi to future generations.

Benjamin Flatt, the owner-chef of “Noto Italian and Fermented Food Inn Furatto,” and his wife, Tomoko Funashita, shared some insights into the food culture of Noto. They explained that the practice of fermenting fish has existed for over a thousand years, with fermentation and aging occurring naturally without any temperature or humidity control. They described it as “fermentation being an incredible bundle of wisdom,” noting that the food often tastes even better than when it was initially marinated.

They also highlighted the unique use of rice bran, a byproduct of rice, which is rare in other parts of the world. This method not only enhances the flavor but also increases the nutritional value, making it an all-around beneficial practice. They believe that by incorporating such fermented foods into the next generation’s diet, they can contribute to the sustainability of Noto.

Additionally, he mentioned the reasons why fermented foods are still prevalent in Noto. First, the region boasts an abundance of seafood. Second, due to limited transportation development, Noto had to rely on local production and consumption. Third, the climate, with its hot summers and cold winters, allows for the repetition of fermentation and aging processes. Fourth, the local food culture is closely intertwined with traditions and festivals, resulting in the preservation of culinary practices alongside the culture. He stated that in order to pass on the food culture to the next generation, it is essential to promote sustainable tourism that is aligned with the current conditions of the region. However, a significant challenge lies in how to enhance the recognition of the value of the culture and traditions held by the local residents who welcome visitors.

The challenges related to food and tourism were discussed In the panel session

Next, the four guest speakers and Researcher Tsuda began a discussion that explored further the earlier examples.

Ms. Taniguchi focused on Omicho Market, which has seen an increase in both domestic and international visitors, analyzing it from the perspective of the SDGs. This market, with a history of 300 years, provides a clear insight into food culture. Visitors can engage with knowledgeable vendors and experience the changing seasons through fresh seasonal ingredients, making it a unique place where both locals and tourists can purchase the same items as professional chefs. However, Mr. Taniguchi noted some challenges facing Omicho Market, particularly the lack of successors to continue the tradition. Additionally, many fresh fish shops close on Wednesdays, leading to an increase in items that need to be discarded on Tuesdays. To tackle this issue, Ms. Taniguchi is working to sell these products through e-commerce platforms to reduce waste.

She also mentioned a lesser-known initiative in Kanazawa City that collects leftover fish from Omicho Market and processes it into fertilizer. This fertilizer is then used to grow vegetables, creating a sustainable cycle that she hopes more people will learn about. To raise awareness of how this market operates in a circular manner, she has launched the “Ichiba Basket Project.”

Mr. Flatt talked about the differences in values between Noto and his home country, Australia. Ms. Funashita discussed why it’s important to pass down Noto’s traditional skills to the next generation and mentioned some challenges, giving more specific examples.

Mr. Ume rovided an explanation about how local food ingredients are offered due to the management of Satoyama and Satoumi by human hands.

After that, participants discussed effective ways to pass down knowledge to future generations. They split into two groups for a workshop to share more ideas before wrapping up the seminar.

The speakers at this event all do unique work related to SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and tourism, especially in the food area. We hope that by using local shops and accommodations, participants will learn how to combine food and SDGs in their activities.

At present, over 180 companies, organisations and individuals are registered as partners of IMAGINE KANAZAWA 2030, and are studying each other’s activities through workshops and exchange meetings.

The theme of the 19th SDGs Café was “how are partnerships developing in Kanazawa?”. The participants revisited the meaning of partnerships, going beyond their own framework, from the perspective of “collective impact”, which refers to joint initiatives with shared visions.

Examining the change in people’s awareness toward the ideal partnerships realised in 2030

Our guest this time was Hiroki Uda, a pharmacist working for Kanazawa City Hospital and the president of Yaku-yaku Renkei SDGs Kanazawa (pharmacist partnership). He became interested in the SDGs when he attended a lecture by OUIK office manager Ms. Nagai, and he started to explore partnerships aimed at solving the problem of unused medicine.

Yaku-yaku Renkei SDGs KANAZAWA is intended for all people involved in medicine who are working to secure health and welfare, including pharmacists working for pharmacies and hospitals. In the field of medication, a cross-sector partnership such as this is truly groundbreaking.

The preamble of their bylaw declares that “all the activities aim to solve social problems in order to attain SDGs”. At present, the two projects of “saving children from COVID19” and “eliminating unused medicine” are underway. Unused medicine refers to medicine that is left unused in homes. It is estimated that 10 billion ~ 874.4 billion yen worth of medicine is left unused annually. Most of the cost for such unused medicine is borne by social insurance expenses (taxation); therefore, this is a serious problem for the whole country. We are now developing an app in collaboration with Code for Kanazawa to solve this problem.

How has people’s awareness of the SDGs changed? First, I would like to talk about the change in my awareness. I did not know anything about the SDGs one year ago. I realised the SDGs are issues of relevance to me when I attended a lecture by the OUIK office manager Ms. Nagai in the Sightseeing Course of Kanazawa Volunteer College. A period of uncertainty began for me, and I was asking myself what I could do toward the SDGs in my life and work.

Then, I listened to Mr. Hiroishi’s keynote speech titled “Linking SDGs to local innovation” at the Hokuriku SDGs Future City Forum (click here for the report) held online in January 2021. I recognized that I could create business and jobs by applying the SDGs concept to local innovation, and started to think with excitement about trying it. Two months later, I organised an online workshop, inviting my friends. 11 participants agreed with my proposal and became facilitators of the initiative. In this way, I recognised the SDGs as my own issues and changed my awareness, and then I started to take action.

Partnerships can resolve not only pharmaceutical problems but also regional challenges

Next, Takuji Hiroishi, President of Empublic and an advisor to the Kanazawa SDGs, gave a speech on partnerships from a professional point of view:

In talks about partnerships, we often hear the concept of health promotion by local public health nurses (a way of seeking possibilities to improve people’s health through management, advocated by WHO). The idea that medical professionals such as pharmacists and doctors should care for local people (patients as clients) is called “community as a client”. However, this concept has already been recognised as ineffective for health promotion through past experiences. Thus, the new concept “community as a partner” appeared. Although it shares the same purpose of making communities healthy, this concept aims to increase the number of healthy people as partners. When this concept is applied as a solution to regional problems, all the processes such as information collection, assessment and planning are implemented through collaboration between local people and professionals, instead of a one-way approach by professionals.

He also referred to the problem of unused medicine, which Mr. Uda’s partnership initiative focuses on. When the British Royal Pharmacist Association examined the reasons why patients did not take medicine as directed, they found that patients had not been complying with directions in the first place. The patients lied to their doctors that they were taking medicine. The doctors and patients did not have sufficient communication. As a solution to this problem, they adopted the idea of concordance, which means to find appropriate treatment methods through partnerships and discussions on an equal footing. In other words, professionals should respect and listen to patients’ opinions including objections; i.e. professionals should accept patients’ right to not take medicine.

This kind of joint decision making regarding medicine can be applied to approaches in regional revitalisation and the SDGs. Bilateral, continuous dialogue between professionals and local people will produce harmony and mutual understanding, thus leading to effective, viable decisions and a better life for the community.

The will of each individual advances partnerships

In the latter period of the meeting, Mr. Uda, Mr. Hiroishi, OUIK office manager Ms. Nagai and the audience of the meeting held a discussion to deepen their understanding of partnerships.

Mr. Uda introduced his experience, saying “patients became motivated when their right to not take medicine or not undergo treatment for their disease is accepted, i.e. when they were sympathised with”. Mr. Hiroishi said, “medical professionals do not know as much about patients as they think. The same thing can be said for businesses”. He proposed that in order to improve sustainability, business people should start by realising that perhaps they do not know their clients at all. In response, Ms. Nagai talked about her experience when giving a speech about the SDGs at companies, saying “they sympathised with my opinion if I performed thorough research in advance and talked from their point of view”.

The Kanazawa SDGs will create partnerships with various companies and organisations. Lastly, Ms. Nagai asked Mr. Hiroishi for advice regarding an effective way to advance partnerships. He advised her to continue to create places for exchange, such as the SDGs Café, in order to facilitate learning through teaching other people and thereby revisiting our own understandings.

50 years have passed since the forestation project began, and many of the trees have grown enough to be cut down. In the meanwhile, the Wooden Culture City project began as a result of city planning in order to promote the use of timber and local wood in the construction of new buildings, while maintaining traditional buildings such as Kanazawa machiya.

Potential of wooden buildings in the Kanazawa downtown area to realise the Wooden Culture City Kanazawa

Tomohiro Miyashita from Kanazawa Institute of Technology, a member of the Wooden Culture City Kanazawa Committee, presented his vision for the future Wooden Culture City Kanazawa.

Although it is a large city, Kanazawa also contains woods on its outskirts. Mountains, villages and farms are located along the rivers flowing into the sea. Kanazawa was not damaged during the war and many beautiful buildings still remain in its central area. How local people and the government should cooperate to preserve this environment and hand it down to future generations is an important issue.

After the war, Japan aimed to construct non-burnable cities, and proceeded with the construction of non-burnable buildings. Constructing new wooden buildings along the main roads in central areas is prohibited, in order to create fireproof building zones.

Among the large cities in Japan, Kanazawa is a rare case where areas with many wooden buildings, such as Owari-cho, still remain along the main roads. More than 70 percent of the buildings are three-storied or lower structures built on small plots, with human-scale landscapes that match the wooden structures. In addition to wooden buildings, modernist architecture built in the Meiji, Taisho and early Showa periods remains in the area. The attraction of this area is produced through the mixture of these different types of structures. More interestingly, this area contains shops of rare goods such as traditional medicine, candles and flags. I am attracted to the fact that traditional buildings are maintained along with cultures. Many cities in Japan are attempting to eliminate wooden buildings from their downtown areas. However, Kanazawa endeavors to maintain wooden buildings in the designated Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings and Komachinami areas. I hope that refined, attractive townscapes will appear in Kanazawa in the future.

The present condition of woods in Kanazawa and how to use the forest environment transfer tax

The tree doctor Hirofumi Ueda from the Forest Revitalization Department of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Bureau of Kanazawa City spoke about the present condition of forests in Kanazawa and the plan for the forest environment transfer tax.

Forests are indispensable in preserving land and life, since they prevent global warming and disasters. However, due to a shortage of workers, forests’ conditions have not been improved yet. Thus, the Law Concerning Forest Environment Tax and Forest Environment Transfer Tax was established in 2019 in order to secure funding for local governments’ forest management and for municipalities to implement a new “business management system”.

About 60% of the area of Kanazawa City (approx. 28,000ha) is occupied by forest. 75% of the forest is occupied by natural woods of broad-leaf trees and 19% is covered with artificial woods of Japanese cedar and cypress trees that were planted to produce timber. Kanazawa City manages about 2,000ha of woods, which contain many trees that have grown enough to be cut down. However, felling has been postponed by 40 years. Normally, forests have a cycle comprised of planting, growing, felling and using trees; however, this cycle has been disrupted in Kanazawa, since no trees are being planted or felled at present.

The city’s review committee has proposed that the forest environment transfer tax apply not only to artificial woods but also to the natural woods that exist in abundance in the city. They have proposed a different cycle for natural woods; the arrow in the cycle does not return to the starting point but rises gradually in a spiral according to the growth of the woods and the changes in society. Thus, we can hand down various types of forests to future generations.

In order to realise this vision, we should continue to take actions to activate the cycle of protecting, using, enjoying and learning about woods.

Growing forests for constructing a future city: what is needed for the present wooden culture city

Kanazawa has an extraordinary plan regarding the use of the forest environment transfer tax. The plan takes various factors such as people’s spirit and culture into consideration. However, it is really difficult to implement the two projects of forestation and city planning simultaneously. Tetsuya Yasuda of NPO Sound Woods, who has been engaged in many architectural and city planning projects, gave us his thoughts about it.

Based in Hyogo and Osaka, we are working to coordinate the balance of forestation and city planning to maximise the results.

By the way, why do you think timber is attracting attention now? I suppose there are three reasons: compared to fossil resources, wood materials are at hand and obtained more easily in Japan; they need less energy to be processed for use; and they can be recycled in a shorter period. Wood can be reused in cycles of 50 or 60 years, and it absorbs greenhouse gases. Therefore, wood is a resource that can help realise SDGs and support future society.

In artificial forests, wood’s advantages can be retained by using it while maintaining its circulation cycle; however, artificial forests in Japan have two big problems at present. Firstly, although 70 years have passed since the war and the number of trees in artificial forests that need to be cut down are increasing, they are left untouched. Therefore, wood is not used, and new forests cannot be produced. Secondly, although the timber’s self-supply ratio has increased from 20 percent during the worst period in 2002 to 40 percent now, the forest owners cannot earn enough income due to the low price of cedar and cypress timbers. As a result, they cannot invest in new forests or maintain the forests after cutting down trees. Securing forest owners’ income is an important task that is required in order for subsequent generations to inherit the forestry industry.

Furthermore, unfortunately no one buys thick timber, since there is no practice of using it in the current manufacturing and distribution processes. Thick timber can be used for the construction of buildings larger than ordinary houses and for public architecture constructed as a result of city planning.