Vol.74, 
16 June 2025
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Newsletter　
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Osaka Joint declaration adopted at International Forum commemorating Osaka Expo 
On Monday, May 12th, the Expo 2025 Osaka Commemorative International Forum, hosted by SGEC/PEFC Japan, was held at the Osaka International House. The forum was attended by 10 representatives from PEFC and 5 member countries, along with over 200 participants (53 in person and 155 online) from both Japan and abroad. The event featured fruitful discussions and concluded with the adoption of the Osaka Joint Declaration reaffirming International Cooperation for Sustainable Wood Use.

In the first session, following addresses by Mr. Atsushi Fukuda, Director of the Forest Agency's Wood Industry Division, and Mr. Sean Lawlor, Vice Chairman of the Osaka Wood Industry Association, Mr. Yasushi Nagami, Director of Sustainability Division at the Japan Association for Expo 2025 Osaka, delivered a key-note report on "Procurement Code at the Expo and Post-Expo Utilization Policy for Used Timber."

In the panel discussion, under the theme of "Collaborative Directions for Promoting PEFC Certification," presentations were given on the use of certified timber in Expo pavilions of the 5 representative countries, as well as on the current status of certification systems. This was followed by a discussion on the significance and direction of sustainable timber use and related certification schemes. Additionally, a video message from the Chairman of PEFC Austria, the only country to have obtained PEFC Project Certification for its pavilion at the Expo, was delivered, drawing attention from the attendees.

At the conclusion of the forum, a joint declaration by PEFC International and the participating countries was read aloud, aiming to strengthen international cooperation to promote the use of SGEC/PEFC-certified timber and products. It is hoped that this forum will contribute significantly to the future expansion of SGEC/PEFC certification.

Please click here to download all the materials presented at the forum

PEFC Forest Forum Held in Vietnam

From May 5th to 10th, the PEFC Forest Forum was held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in collaboration with PEFC International and the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences (VAFS). The forum focused on how international policy developments surrounding forests and timber are impacting businesses and forest management. It featured expert presentations, panel discussions, and case studies based on practical examples.
At the General Assembly held on the 7th, the certification schemes of Turkey, Lithuania, and Croatia were newly endorsed, and discussions were also held regarding membership of ISEAL, the international evaluation body. SGEC/PEFC Japan provided updates on its developments during the APAC HUB meeting on the 5th and the Market-place session on the 6th, which served as platforms for sharing information on the situation in each country.

In addition, at the PEFC Biomass Session held on the 7th, SGEC/PEFC Japan participated as one of the panelists and delivered a presentation on recent developments related to FIT scheme. Additionally, during the Public Day on the 8th, which was aimed at Vietnamese citizens and stakeholders, participants from Japan (Sumitomo Forestry, PwC Japan) each played an important role in the relevant panel discussions.The forum concluded with visits to an Acacia trial forest, a rubber plantation, and related factories.

Roadside Station Opens with Project Certification

The opening ceremony for “Michi-no-Eki (a roadside station) Hojo,” the first SGEC project certification in Tottori Prefecture, was held on April 25th. The event began with a traditional wadaiko (Japanese drum) performance and was attended by over 80 guests and officials. Following a greeting from the mayor of Hokuei Town, a congratulatory message from Minister Akazawa, Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization, was delivered on his behalf.

The roadside station building was constructed using locally sourced SGEC-certified timber in the central region of Tottori Prefecture, including Hokuei Town. Mr. Kajiya, the Secretary General of SGEC/PEFC Japan, extended his best wishes to the opening of the facility and presented a Certificate of  Appreciation along with a Commemorative Plaque. The podium used at the ceremony was also made from SGEC-certified timber, with the SGEC logo affixed to it. 

There was also a featured product called the "Stretchy Nebarikko Cheese Curry Bun," made using nebarikko (a sticky Japanese yam from the town), a specialty of Hokuei Town. On the day of the opening, a long line of people eagerly waited for the facility to open. It is hoped that this place will become a gathering and resting spot not only for locals but also for people from across the country and abroad.
Fiber Made from SGEC-Certified Thinned Wood Chosen for Oska Expo Uniforms
At Expo 2025 Osaka, "Moku-ito", a wooden fiber made from timber sourced from SGEC-certified forests, is being used for staff uniforms. Moku-ito is a natural fiber made from thinned Japanese cedar and cypress. Cellulose is taken from the wood, turned into washi (traditional Japanese paper), and then spun into thread. It’s eco-friendly and biodegradable, with no chemical processing.

The wood used for Moku-ito were sourced from the following 4 SGEC certified forests; Kawachinagano City, Osaka Prefecture; Kamikatsu Town, Tokushima Prefecture; Neba Village, Nagano Prefecture; Amakusa City and Oguni Town in Kumamoto Prefecture. Moku-ito is supplied by four companies that form the Kinoito Consortium, a joint business entity.

The social media campaign “Make a Sustainable Future Happen with SGEC/PEFC” will again take place this year as part of Environmental Month in June. This initiative aims to raise public awareness of sustainable forest management and its contribution to achieving the SDGs.Through this interactive SNS initiative, the significance and value of forest certificationwill be communicated directly to consumers. It is expected that the campaign will encourage individuals to make more conscious and sustainable choices in their daily lives.

Date: From Monday, June 9th, 11:00 AM to Sunday, June 22nd, 23:59
Participation Fee: Free 
Support: Ministry of the Environment, Consumer Affairs Agency,  
Cooperation: Forest Certification Promotion Council

Follow the official X account of SGEC/PEFC Japan (@SGEC_PEFC)
Repost the campaign post
Take a photo of a product with the SGEC or PEFC logo mark
Post it with the designated hashtag: #SGEC・PEFCで豊かな未来を！

Participants are also encouraged to take part in a quiz about SGEC/PEFC Japan. Among those who post, 100 people will be selected to receive gifts, and an additional 20 winners will be chosen from those who answer the quiz correctly.
Kanden Power-Tech Cooperation
Established in 1956 as a Kansai Electric Power subsidiary, the company operates and maintains thermal and nuclear power plants, and handles radiation control, chemical analysis, and waste management. It has expanded into new power and biomass plant operations, growing its energy business in Japan and abroad.
COC Certification No.: JIA-PEFC-COC-2501
Registration Date: April 1, 2025

Tochimou-mokuzai-kougyou
Guided by the philosophy "From a single seedling  to homebuilding," the company manages everything from forest cultivation to construction using its own forests. It mainly processes Japanese cedar (sugi) and cypress (hinoki), handling about 25,000 cubic meters of logs annually. Offcuts are recycled into wood chips, with annual output of around 30,000 tons. The company actively supports the SDGs and environmental conservation.
COC Certification No.: JAFTA-SGEC-COC-281
Registration Date: May 1, 2025

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