Sustainability

Japan’s Sustainable Forestry

Timber has always played an important role in Japanese design and architecture. The oldest surviving wooden building on Earth is Japan’s Horyuji Temple – built more than 1400 years ago using Japanese Hinoki timber.

History also taught Japan that while timber is one of the best building materials available, it is also a precious and finite resource that needs to be managed.

Centuries ago, during the prosperous Edo period, Japan saw a rapidly expanding population. Timber consumption soared and along with it widespread deforestation.
Faced with a complete lack of resource, Japan created and implemented a sustainable forestry practice across the country which is why forests now cover 67% of Japan.

Careful Cultivation

Sustainable practices involve carefully selecting the right seeds for the soil, the types of trees to be grown and the location of these trees. By using selective logging practices and carefully managing which trees to harvest and when, ensures only high-quality trees are grown in areas with low transport costs.

Ethical Forestry

SUGI has exclusive access to these sustainable Japanese forests that have been carefully cultivated for centuries. All of our timber complies with the modern GOHO system set up to ensure ethical forestry practices and to combat illegal logging an deforestation globally.

Ongoing Commitment

In New Zealand we’ve developed an ethical sawmill protocol and production framework, which reflects our ongoing investment in creating a truly natural sustainable product that’s better for homes, better for us and better for the planet.

Sustainability Certification

 

GOHO

Japan’s own certification against illegal logging
Kiyama Cladding
Yakisugi Cladding
Finishing
Our Products