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Michihiko Kano, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan
Japan is one of the most forested countries in the world, with nearly 70 per cent of its total land area covered
by forest. It is crucial for Japan to secure and upgrade the environmental services provided by forests and so
the challenge ahead of us is to ensure the stable supply of timber with the maximum use of planted forests, to
revitalize local communities through expansion of job opportunities and, subsequently, to establish a wood-
based low carbon society in order to help the realization of a green economy.
International Year of Forests, 2011 provides us with the opportunity to raise worldwide awareness of the
multiple values and the significant contribution to global livelihood forests bring. Japan’s National Committee
declared ‘Walk in the Woods’ as the national theme of the year. I believe that each citizen should join the
campaign and contribute to the positive outcome of our activities which protect and foster rich forests.
Let us tackle the global issues we face, such as deforestation and illegal logging, and share the wisdom and
start to make substantial commitments to our future success.
Michihiko Kano
Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Japan