著者

四津 隆一

出版者

THE TOHOKU GEOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION

雑誌

東北地理 (ISSN:03872777)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.12, no.1, pp.7-12, 1960 (Released:2010-10-29)

参考文献数

2

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The forests in Northeastern Japan occupy 13.8% of the national acreage of wooded land, but in accumulation they show as high a percentage as 17.8%. In spite of such abundant holdings, their exploitation is not advanced, the amount of timber production being only 12.5% of the nation. Main reasons are (1) their inaccessibility, (2) in-convenient transportation, (3) remoteness from markets and (4) lack of local capital to exploit. Another and the major reason, however, is the fact that the forests are mainly of broad-leaved trees of low economic value. Therefore it has been encouraged to increase the forestation of coniferous trees of higher economic value. Present writer wants to add another reason to explain undevelopment of forestry in Northeastern Japan. In the feudal age, some of the more important forest areas such as that of Cryptomeria japouica in the northern part of Akita Pref., and that of Chamaecyparis obtusa in Tsugaru Peninsula had been carefully saved from the view point of resource maintenance, and the same policy has been adopted since they were annexed to the national forest in the Meiji era. As the result, cutting has been limited to an amount low enough to maintain them. In Northeastern Japan, national forests cover half of the total acreage of the region. The percentage is higher than that in any other region and this fact contributes greatly to maintain the forest resources. Viewed from economic exploitation, however, far more rational management is expected. The forests of broad-leaved trees are distributed in almost every part, but more important ones are the national forests in the interior such as Tadami and Kurikoma wood-lands. However, these resources have been regarded as valueless because most of them are superannuated. After World War II, however, they regained their economic importance as Japan lost her coniferous forest resources in her former territories, and at the same time manufacturing technique was greatly improved for the utilization of hardwoods. There is an inceasing demand for them as materials for the pulp and fiber board manufacturing industries. One cannot forget, however, that the forests in the interior are of much value not only as the sources of raw materials, but also as protection for the prevention of soil erosion and floods, and at the same time they are indispensable as the protector of water resources for hydroelectricity. Therefore, it is desirable to consider the exploitation of forest resources from many angles. Tadami and Kurikoma areas are included in the Government's multipurpose development areas, and much is expected from their exploitation.