Hokkaido city grows hemp to promote economic development

By Akiko Koga

KITAMI —

Despite the bad impression many have of hemp due to a perceived rise in marijuana use, Hidetaro Funayama believes that growing the plant for its many industrial uses could create a buzz for the city of Kitami on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk in northeastern Hokkaido.

The plant is grown on a plot of land on a hill slightly out of the center of the city with a population of some 126,000. A 2.7-meter-tall fence covers it with a grating.

Funayama, 58, represents a group dealing with a city development project aimed at growing hemp without a narcotic component for production of construction materials and Japanese ‘‘washi’’ paper.

He has been working on the cultivation of hemp since 2006 after visiting Germany, a nation considered to be advanced in hemp processing for industrial use, in 2003. He learned that Germans made heavy use of the plant as eco-friendly material and interior finishing material for deluxe automobiles.

Kitami’s periphery is known as a natural growth area for hemp.

Funayama said hemp keeps growing no matter how many times local officials try to get rid of it. In summer, plants as high as 4 meters pack the land used for cultivation.

The Hokkaido prefectural government recognized the land as a special place for the growth of hemp for industrial use last August in response to an application filed by the Kitami municipality.

A prefectural government official, however, said, ‘‘It is difficult for the prefectural administration to join people in Kitami in research on growing hemp when the use of marijuana is spreading across the country and its criminality is underscored.’‘

The import of cannabis plant species is prohibited by the government unless they are treated to keep them from developing into marijuana.

The Tochigi prefectural government in eastern Japan has developed its own variety called ‘‘Tochigi shiro’’ for the cultivation of hemp to produce ropes for use in Shinto rituals, among other uses.

Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry officials said there would be no trouble if Hokkaido comes up with its own narcotic-free species.

Funayama and his group obtained about 1 kilogram of seeds from a researcher in Tokyo after gaining permission from the Hokkaido prefectural governor in 2005.

His ultimate goal is to grow hemp on land measuring about 1,000 hectares and turn out products at his own plant. He anticipates an annual turnover of 1 billion yen.

He has thus far learned that hemp could be utilized for the manufacture of heat-insulating materials, Japanese ‘‘washi’’ paper, compact disc cases and cooking oil.

The cultivation of the plant may have the effect of improving soil, proponents of the hemp production campaign say.

The prefectural agricultural experiment center in Kitami is researching the possibility of utilizing hemp for purification of nitrogen because the plant grows fast and its roots go deep beneath the surface.

Those involved in growing hemp face many problems, including measures to prevent thefts of the plant under cultivation and an inspection system to verify the plant does not contain narcotic-producing components.

Funayama said there are high expectations for hemp to play the role of promoting the local region and take the place of public works projects which have gone up in smoke in recent years due to the central government’s belt-tightening measures.

‘‘I want to challenge the bad impression of hemp production despite the narcotic scandals,’’ he said.

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Latest 15 of 27 Total Comments Show All

earthconnection at 08:16 PM JST - 17th February

I was in the right place and the right time to read this. I have been an educator and supporter of industrial hemp for over 12 years. I am going to japan in July and would like to do an interview with Mr Funayama fora book I am writing, I was offered to do some speaking on the subject there and would love to know of anyone who I can visit on my trip/ So glad to hear this is happening, it makes economical, environmental and intellectual good sense! Great story thankyou!
Ah_so at 10:14 PM JST - 17th February

in every supermarket in Japan there is a spice section where they sell hemp seeds for cooking as a spice or herb, and it is completely different from marijuana. It is a completely different plant.

But they do cross-pollinate, I believe.
votehemp at 02:26 AM JST - 18th February

Yes, there are different varieties of Cannabis as evidenced in this Vote Hemp page: http://www.votehemp.com/different_varieties.html

Japan's hemp control law was written by the Americans in 1948 without any respect for the thousands of years of history of hemp being grown in the country. Your country currently suffers under laws similar to those in the U.S. where the Drug Enforcement Administration does not recognize the different varieties of Cannabis.

I trust that hope and education will win out over fear ignorance and that you may once again farm this agricultural crop.
adaydream at 02:49 AM JST - 18th February

votehemp I agree.

The United States suffers from a dumbass symdrome in respect to hemp also. We don't allow hemp to be grown because there are those who would lose out seriously if it was grown here VS in Mexico or another country.

They also tie hemp to the anti-drug war here in the U. S. Such idiots. < :-)
M_Lammerse at 08:05 AM JST - 18th February

If you know why hemp was almost world wide banned in the first place (thanks to the powerful upcoming chemical fiber industry in the US) it is rediculous that countries still 'have' to follow again a nations' law (US) which is based on early 20th century dirty business. Now i live myself most of the year in a nation (Netherlands) where hemp is used mostly as a drug (like alcohol and tabacco)and unfortunately almost not as an excellent alternative for non-natural fibers...so it be the other way around too :-)
Disillusioned at 09:07 AM JST - 18th February

Hemp is the most useful natural fibre known to man. The other advantages are, it grows quickly and requires little fertilizer or water. If you smoke hemp it will give you a headache and a sore throat. It is completely different to the illegal cash-crop. I can't believe how many people refer to the drug as hemp. Do some research before spouting ridiculous comments from the top of your head.
telecasterplayer at 03:27 PM JST - 18th February

Kitami is doing the right thing. I have some hemp t-shirts. The public-at-large does not need to be protected from my t-shirt. Hemp is a fantastic plant, the cultivation of which would put a lot of powerful business interests in jeopardy, such as timber-for-paper, cotton and other textiles, food additives, plastics, et cetera. It grows like a weed (duh) and that is a threat to a lot of rich folks.
Nessie at 07:38 PM JST - 18th February

for production of construction materials and Japanese ‘‘washi’’ paper

Can you make rolling papers from it? Two birds...

And can't it be used for fodder?
sydenham at 06:12 AM JST - 19th February

Sounds great, but hold on hemp lovers.

The problem of hemp being lumped in with cannabis is not primarily the fault of those who don't understand the situation. Rather, the overlap between those who support pot use and those who support hemp growth.

This is not pure semantics as in apples and oranges, but a problem of perception exacerbated by those specific interest groups.

Often, it is argued by those who support pot use, that hemp is an indispensable fiber and therefore should not be restricted. For those who oppose pot legalization, this argument seems deliberately deceptive, and rightly so, because it is.

I, for one, am not opposed to hemp, but I am suspicious of the motives of those special interest groups that support it. How does one know that they aren't just for the legalization of pot, and are using the hemp argument as a stepping stone?

I am not going to reveal whether I support pot use, because that is something private, between me and my stash, and a different topic altogether. However, I really hate liars, and that's what I feel many of these so-called hemp supporters really are.

The real, purely pro-hemp crowd is being hurt by the pro-pot crowd. There are no 2 ways around it.
sydenham at 07:17 AM JST - 19th February

I guess what I'm getting at is this:

For any pro-hemp movement to be taken seriously, they have to be against the legalization of cannabis, and for strict government control over its growth, as is the case Kitami. Anything less is a waste of time.

Don't blame this situation on ignorami in government, blame it on the stoners.
maxtheitpro at 07:34 PM JST - 19th February

Great article! Countries like Japan and Germany are waaaay ahead when it comes to implementing green, eco-friendly alternatives. I'd like to see similar efforts here in Africa too. BTW, does anyone got any links to Biomass pellet machines that can take hemp as an input source?? Or what about Biomass generators that can use hemp as a fuel source?? I'm big on growing hemp here in East Africa - especially knowing oil will rise eventually. Electricity is also scarce in rural communities and I feel some sort of biomass generator that takes hemp, switch grass, miscanthus or other prominent feedstocks, would be a huge benefit to development and self-sufficiency.

@sydenham: you make it sound as if the stoners are worse than drunkards and nicotine addicts which both cost society dearly. I do believe that stoners totally ruin the image and benefits of cannibis in all its forms. :-)
maxtheitpro at 07:41 PM JST - 19th February

By the way, this is awesome news for u green enthusiasts: Biomass Pellets Revolution in Austria: 46% Less Costly than Heating Oil http://news.mongabay.com/bioenergy/2007/10/biomass-pellets-revolution-in-austria.html
Badsey at 09:39 PM JST - 19th February

Hemp clothes are extremely comfortable and durable. Costs are more but the value they bring is worth it.
stipend at 11:02 PM JST - 20th February

I've seen hemp fabrics in the past and I have been impressed. It's lightweight bouncy and indestructible. The US producer I got it from it in some really fantastic colours. At the time I think that was the hard part getting the colour in. Watch the cotton industry tho, they don't like it.

Hemp seeds are food and seriously, people should be looking the plant it with an eye towards feeding populations.
illsayit at 12:56 PM JST - 23rd February

Japan is not going to be able to backdown from this. This issue is one of those ones that rides the fine lines between the East and the West.

Take a good look at what fabric makes up most of those kimonos!(wonder if they are smokable!)They certainly keep the prices within a democratic world. I think starting with this issue in Hokkaido is an imporatnt part to this story, and is stirring those Fabian Socialist views of Obama, and the like from a distance, first. (Though Ive heard Obama isnt so much against it! maybe this is a warning/warming him for what is to come, if he continues with his socialist type of movemnents-which may be appropriate in the US, but certainly not in Japan)