Japan to Boost Domestic Construction Wood Use to 23M m³ by 2030, Up 5M m³
Japan’s government aims to increase domestic construction wood consumption to 23 million cubic meters by 2030, up from 18 million cubic meters in 2024. This initiative, outlined in the new Forest and Forestry Basic Plan, seeks to bolster local timber supply and reduce reliance on imports. Total domestic wood supply is projected to reach 40 million cubic meters by 2030.
Japan's Domestic Timber Push
Japan plans to significantly increase domestic timber production and use by 2030, as stated by its Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The new Forest and Forestry Basic Plan targets domestic construction wood use to reach 23 million cubic meters in 2030, up from 18 million cubic meters in 2024. This target rises to 26 million cubic meters by 2035.
Total domestic wood supply is projected to hit 40 million cubic meters in 2030 and 42 million cubic meters by 2035, compared with 35 million cubic meters in 2024. Total wood demand is expected to be 85 million cubic meters in both 2030 and 2035, slightly below the previous plan’s forecast of 87 million cubic meters for 2025.
This push coincides with a decline in softwood log imports, which fell 7.5% year-on-year to 826,000 cubic meters between January and June 2026, with their value dropping 10.3% to $197 million, as reported by Lesprom. The average import price also decreased by 3% to $238.50 per cubic meter.
Sector-Specific Wood Use Targets
Within the construction sector, Japan's plan specifies increased domestic sawlog use for lumber, targeting 18 million cubic meters by 2030 and 20 million cubic meters by 2035, up from 14 million cubic meters in 2024. Domestic plywood use is set to increase from 4 million cubic meters in 2024 to 5 million cubic meters in 2030, reaching 6 million cubic meters by 2035.
Non-construction domestic wood use is expected to remain stable at 17 million cubic meters in both 2030 and 2035. Pulp and chipwood use is targeted at 4 million cubic meters. Fuelwood use is projected to rise from 12 million cubic meters in 2024 to 13 million cubic meters in 2030, maintaining this level through 2035.
These figures from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries demonstrate a focused effort to reorient wood sourcing towards domestic production across various applications.
Productivity and Housing Sector Goals
The government also aims to increase the share of domestic wood in housing construction to 60% by 2030, up from 50% in 2024. Overall domestic construction wood use is expected to reach 23 million cubic meters, representing a 70% domestic share, supported by greater timber use in non-residential, mid- and high-rise buildings.
To support these targets, Japan plans to expand forest aggregation for forestry operators to 2.1 million hectares by 2030, a 31% increase from 1.6 million hectares in 2023. Two-thirds of planted forests will be designated as suitable for forestry.
Measures include consolidating forest holdings, improving forest roads, reforestation, and wider use of remote sensing and artificial intelligence to strengthen the domestic timber supply chain. Mill productivity is targeted to rise from 600 cubic meters per worker per year in 2023 to 800 cubic meters by 2030, according to the Ministry.
Implications for Asian Markets
These targets signal a reduction in Japan's demand for imported softwood logs and processed timber products. Asian suppliers of softwood logs, lumber, and plywood should review their export strategies to Japan, particularly given the recorded 7.5% year-on-year drop in softwood log imports between January and June 2026.
Companies in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam that supply wood products to Japan may need to diversify their export markets or adapt to potentially lower volumes and prices.
The emphasis on increased domestic supply and productivity in Japan suggests a tightening market for external suppliers, requiring them to monitor Japan's progress on these targets and adjust production or sales forecasts accordingly.
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