Forests in Japan

When flying over Japanese territory, the large amount of forests there are, especially considering that it is a heavily industrialized country, where 67% of its surface is covered with forests, should be very striking. And this is surprising because in no other industrialized country does the forest area exceed 50% of its territory.

And this is because the great variety of Japanese vegetation (about 17.000 species) flourish due to the climate and relief. Mostly leafy and coniferous trees: chestnut, beech, maple, thuja, red and black pine, along with birch and ash.

For example, to the west a coniferous forest dominates, growing alongside magnolia, bamboo and green chestnut trees. As well as white and red plums, cherry trees and pines that have become traditional symbols of the country.

Thinking that in this archipelago that extends 3.000 km from north to south allows the existence of a great variety of trees, it should attract the attention of those countries that must preserve and protect the flora of their territories. In this sense, the Japanese know what they have: their forests are unique in the world and it could be said that the whole country is a veritable nursery.

That is why there are laws for the protection and conservation of species. In many cases, due to their religious beliefs. And how is this? You must know that there was a belief that the gods lived inside the forest and among the great trees, or that they descended to earth in sacred arboreal areas. This fact favored the idea of ​​preservation among the Japanese.

Sure, beliefs since medieval times but that has helped the Japanese population see that their forests are essential for production and for their own life. From this recognition arose the desire to preserve and improve the wooded area, benefiting from the gift of nature, generation after generation.