LAUSR

ABSTRACT The Japanese plywood industry has been profoundly affected by external factors such as raw material supply from overseas, and has increased the utilization rate of domestic timber in recent years. To analyze an industry influenced by external factors, it is useful to employ a theory of competitive factors to examine the industrial structure and the impact on enterprises. In this article, we analyze the correspondence of each enterprise in the Japanese plywood industry for changes in raw material supply and then discuss the predicted future development. The results describe the three major strategies: 1) Differentiation strategy – production with additional processed plywood, continued utilization of tropical wood, and utilizing only domestic timbers; 2) Focus strategy – obtaining certification and locating mills in low-competition regions; and 3) Diversification strategy – product diversification and export. Hereafter, it is predicted that there will be a decline in domestic demand, and consequently, an increase in enterprises that adopt the diversification strategy.