InsideJapan News Network

The use of Japan's forest as timber plantations is causing problems for the wildlife which live in the woodlands, it has been reported.

According to Yale Environment 360 information published in the Guardian, one of the species facing the most hardship in the forests of Japan is the black bear.

"Black bears, for example, are omnivorous but prefer to eat young leaves, insects, berries, and acorns - few of which can be found in timber plantations," it is reported.

Timber plantations make up 41 per cent of all forests in Japan, the source said, with this figure as high as 60 per cent in some prefectures of the country.

Speaking to the source, Mariko Moriyama from the Japan Bear and Forest association, said that before the Second World War, Japan took steps to preserve its forests, but conceded that the post-war tactics of the nation have not worked.

Around two-thirds of Japan is covered by forest, an area of around 62 million acres.

Written by Mark Smith.