taintus comments

Part of the blame is with the national forestry agency (rinyachou) that continues to use outdated forestry techniques based on maximizing timber production in a country that imports almost all of its wood. Landscape conversion from mixed to plantation forests is creating a decline in suitable habitat for bear and other wild animals.

In Otaki, the village where I live, monkeys and bears are increasingly becoming nuisances that are almost unmanageable.

With all do respect, timorborder's comment that old men with guns are more frightening than bears is woefully naive. The Japanese government needs to start thinking about effective forest management policies that involve rural communities. Instead the forestry agency just keeps mindlessly planting pine trees.

Read more at my blog: <a href="http://www.otakimura.blogspot.com">In the Pines</a> www.otakimura.blogspot.com.

The term "primeval" I think, needs to either be defined or thrown out. What does it mean?

Also, Burikko, who are the ancestors that protected and respected these forests? Heavy forest utilization has been occurring in Japan since the 8th century.

JeffLee, I disagree many local people do oppose national forest policies in a variety of ways.

For more on forests and local communities in Japan see my blog, <a href="http://www.otakimura.blogspot.com">In the Pines (www.otakimura.blogspot.com</a>.