TOKYO -- The growth in foreign tourist numbers in Japan has caused a noticeable increase in the consumption of traditional wooden products, such as plaques at shrines and rice containers used for sushi, which is in turn having an impact on lumber demand.
Commodities
Tourist spending pushes up lumber demand in Japan
Traditional wooden items like 'ema' shrine plaques surge in popularity
"Ema" plaques with wishes written in foreign languages are a common sight at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine in Japan's Saitama prefecture. (Photo by Maiko Sugiyama)
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