Nagano Announces "New Deal for Forestry"

Nagano, well- known as one of Japan's mountainous prefectures, has revealed a policy to create jobs through forest maintenance, called the "New Deal for a Forest Century." The plan aims to counter global warming as well as generate 100,000 jobs annually.

The policy consists of 16 projects, which aim to use forests as energy sources, control floods through maintaining forest reserves and afforestation, promote the use of lumber produced in the prefecture, and so on. The total budget is estimated at around 2 billion yen (about U.S.$168 million). The prefecture also plans to promote maintenance of forests that require upkeep but have been left unattended due to budget shortfalls by asking private companies to become "foster parents" and donate funds.

Yasuo Tanaka, who assumed the governor's post in October 2000, declared an "Anti-Dam" policy in February of the following year in an effort to avoid unnecessary dam construction. Traditionally, dam construction has been the main component of water management policy in Japan. The novelist-turned-governor¡Çs "Anti-Dam" policy and employment measures have been a focus of attention around Japan.

In 2002, the prefectural assembly passed a no-confidence motion with a vote of 44 to 5 against Tanaka for his decision to scrap under-way dam construction projects. However, in a subsequent direct election, Tanaka won back his post in a landslide victory. The New Deal for a Forest Century is regarded as a response to the wishes of the Nagano voters who reelected him.

Various efforts to cope with global warming are under way nationwide, but this comprehensive policy package is drawing attention because it also incorporates job creation. The package aims to shift the workforce away from conventional public works and provide job opportunities for urban workers who wish to work in the countryside in the field of forest maintenance.



Posted: 2003/03/15 02:43:13 PM
Japanese version