Lumber demand and supply in Ryukyu islands [Japan]

In this paper, the lumber demand and supply in Ryukyu Islands for these 20 years are discussed. It is clarified that Ryukyu Islands have several characteristics comparing to Japan main land. The main results are as follows: 1. The demand field is almost limited to housing construction and engineering works. 2. The demand of lumber and log tends to decrease gradually. The quantity of demand per population is almost one fifth and that of all of Japan. 3. The wooden-rate of building construction is very low, namely around 1% in floor area basis. Recently, a new movement that increases this rate began in Okinawa main island. However, it seems to be unchangeable that non-wooden building construction will have superiority in future. 4. In Ryukyu Islands, the administrative investments are important for the local economies. Various types of developmental undertaking have been introduced by Okinawa Development Agency and Okinawa Prefectural Government. Lumber demand for these public works is also important. 5. Lumber and log are mainly supplied from Japan main land and foreign countries. Lumber and log for lumber are imported from North America, log for plywood is imported from south-sea countries and lumber and log are imported from Japan main land, especially Kyushu. 6. Supply from Ryukyu Islands is only around 10%. This rate has been almost constant during these 10 years. Log for chip is main, and is supplied from the north part of Okinawa main island. It tends to be produced as the result of the various developmental works. 7. Number of sawmill and employee is decreasing. The decreasing of lumber demand is main reason. In addition, the lumber import from North America is increasing in substitution of the decrease of log import from this area. As Ryukyu Islands consist of many islands, various movements in social economic fields have been reflected on lumber demand and supply