In a bid to address hay fever, an allergy impacting approximately 40 percent of Japan’s population, the country has taken decisive action to expedite the replacement of cedar forests with trees that produce less pollen.
During Japan’s post-World War II economic boom, extensive cedar tree planting occurred to meet housing demands. However, this initiative inadvertently led to heightened pollen dispersion, resulting in a surge of hay fever cases since 1970. Symptoms, including runny noses, sneezing, and itchy eyes, primarily afflict individuals during the spring season.
To combat this issue, Japan has set an ambitious target of reducing planted cedar tree areas by approximately 20 percent by fiscal year 2033. The government plans to achieve this by accelerating the felling of cedar forests and replacing them with low-pollen seedlings or alternative tree species, as outlined in a white paper endorsed by the cabinet on Tuesday.
To meet these objectives, the white paper underscores the necessity of securing a labor force for logging activities, stimulating demand for cedar lumber, and ramping up the production of low-pollen seedlings.
According to a nationwide survey of ear, nose, and throat specialists and their families, cedar pollen allergies affected an estimated 39 percent of Japan’s population in 2019, a significant increase from 16 percent in 1998. This alarming rise underscores the urgency of Japan’s efforts to mitigate the impact of cedar pollen on public health.
