Effect of Instituting “Authorized Neighborhood Associations” on Communal (Iriai) Forest Ownership in Japan

Abstract

In recent years, changes in traditional communal (Iriai) forest ownership have been taking place in rural Japan. One cause is the emergence of Authorized Neighborhood Associations introduced under the revised Local Autonomy Law, 1991. This study analyzes the effects of instituting multifunctional Authorized Neighborhood Associations on collectively owned forests in Japan. It examines the comparative institutional and policy characteristics of Authorized Neighborhood Associations and two other types of forest ownership, and presents findings based on case studies undertaken in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The study reveals that hamlets are establishing Authorized Neighborhood Associations to acquire formal collective ownership of Iriai forests, adapt to present socioeconomic realities, and reduce bureaucratic transaction costs. Authorized Neighborhood Associations are clearly emerging as an attractive alternative to other formal and informal grass-roots forestry institutions.

Keywords:

• Authorized Neighborhood Associations
• Forest Producers' Cooperatives
• Iriai forest and system
• Iriai rights holders
• Japan

The authors thank the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) for providing us with the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research for undertaking this study, and the local government officials and people of Iiyama City and Sakae Village for providing information. The authors thank the editor and three reviewers for their valuable suggestions.

Notes

Note. Source: Iiyama city office and Sakae village office.

^a Categorized under institutional change.

^b Figures/names in parentheses are sampling units/hamlets.

^c Categorized under maintaining current status.