Japanese timber is enjoying a surge in popularity as sharply rising demand from emerging economies creates uncertainty over supplies of imported wood.
Logging also helps foster forestry, which in turn may help mitigate global warming, so industry officials are hoping the trend continues.
In Imari, Saga Prefecture, the lumber market and logging companies, including Chugoku Mokuzai Co. of Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, are working together to capitalize on this opportunity.