Hokkaido Assembly Member inspects forestry and forced labor history sites

Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly Member Ayako Fuchigami conducted an inspection of the Uryu Research Forest and the Sasa no Bohyo Forced Labor Museum to examine sustainable forestry and local history.

At the Hokkaido University Uryu Research Forest, observations focused on natural forest management. Unlike conventional methods that rely on high-cost artificial planting, natural regeneration utilizes existing seed banks and fallen trees. While current subsidy systems favor standardized artificial plantations, Fuchigami noted that Hokkaido has significant potential for low-cost, diverse natural forest management that could improve long-term sustainability.

The inspection also included the Sasa no Bohyo Forced Labor Museum. The site documents the history of forced labor involving Korean workers during the construction of the Shumarinai Dam and power plant, as well as the ongoing projects for the excavation and repatriation of remains.