Japan’s vast forests also themselves hold huge amounts of carbon, and sugi plantations are responsible for almost half the carbon sequestered by its forests each year. Japan is leaning heavily on this carbon sequestration to achieve its net zero goal, and encourages it with a carbon credits scheme.
Still, since 2004 Japan has seen a declining trend in the yearly amount being absorbed which it attributes to the maturity of its forests. Research has shown that since ageing trees absorb less carbon, thinning forests of old trees and planting new, younger and more diverse species will be essential to keeping Japan’s forests an effective carbon sink.
Japan’s ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries did not respond to a request for comment on how the plans to replant sugi and hinoki forests may impact its climate goals.
Before the 1960s, Japan didn’t even have a word for hay fever. Japanese cedar pollinosis was first identified in 1963 and, according to researchers at the time, was new to the country. The hope is that with the return of more natural, diverse forests, Japan can one day go back to enjoying its springs – without the sneezes.
