Japanese Trade Studies, Special Industry Analysis No. 23 - Lumber

Report prepared for the Foreign Economic Administration by a member of the staff of the United States Tariff Commission. This study focuses on the role of Lumber in Japan's Economy. Handwritten note states "Reproduce All. Smith." Describes the history of lumbering as well as the types of forests found in Japan. States "Substantial quantities of timber exist in Manchuria (Manchoukuo), Korea (Chosen), and Formosa (Taiwan), but, to a large extent, the timber is inaccessible and lumber production has been inadequate for domestic requirements. Japan's exports of lumber to these areas has greatly exceeded imports from them." Wood played an important role in Japan's economy as most people preferred wooden houses. Gives overview of historic trends, including production, imports and exports during the war. Predicts that imports will continue to be important in the postwar years. [Note: Date field reflects when the original document was written and not the date the IPS reproduced the for inclusion in evidence]