Abundant waste woody biomass resources exist in Japan in the forms such as thinned wood/forest residue as well as construction waste of old wooden houses. These resources, however, exist thin and widely. Therefore, utilization of waste woody biomass in Japan has been done locally, using most efficient ways of collection and utilization that depend on the conditions of every local area. In order to realize low-carbon societies in Japan, it is thought to be a wise and effective way to promote utilization of woody biomass of every local area, by following the philosophy of “Locally Produce/Locally Consume”.

The system of biomass utilization in this way would not necessarily be big in scale. Utilization of so-far-neglected biomass resources, however, would make it possible to realize recycling of natural resources and reduction of CO2 emission. At the same time, this would revitalize forestry industry and wood industry of the area. In case of a sight seeing area, a well-attended beautiful forest zone would attract many more tourists to the area.

Utilization of woody biomass, in this way, is becoming more and more popular in many local municipalities as one of powerful trump cards to cope with the global warming. (See Table)

Table Utilization of woody biomass by different municipalities

Sources: Mainichi Shimbun, Jomo Shimbun, Iwate Nippo, Nikkei Ecology, Nikkan Kensetsu Kogyo Shimbun and etc.