Activities of the Kenaf Society of Kochi Japan

摘要

Kochi is located in the south of Shikoku Island facing to the Pacific Ocean and has lots of mountains covered with forest (84%). Kochi is well known for "Washi" (traditional Japanese hand-made paper), advanced machine-made paper, and nonwoven fabrics. In the past, the production of paper and paper products relied on the natural fibers derived from domestic production of native species (KOZO and MITSUMATA). But now it relies mostly on imported wood fibers or synthetic fibers. The recent population shifts from rural areas to urban have caused a labor shortage and the increase of non-used farmland, raising serious concerns in maintaining the farmland and forest environment. We tried to introduce kenaf to the farmers of Kochi to improve the local environment as well as the local economy. In 1990, Prof. Sameshima, the president of the kenaf society, attended the UNIDO kenaf seminar held in Bangkok Thailand. He was impressed about kenaf plant at this seminar and made up his mind to introduce kenaf to Japan. In 1991, Japan Kenaf Association (JKA) was founded by the members of a kenaf committee, which had provided advice on kenaf for the Japanese Environmental Protection Agency. Since then kenaf research and activities in Japan have developed gradually. In 1991, Prof. Sameshima attended the 6th ISWPC and investigated kenaf in Australia. He also visited several countries to investigate the situation of kenaf research, cultivation, and utilization.