[1] Forest conservation measures have a long history in the country: according to the Yōrō Code of 718, "the benefits of mountain, river, grove, and marsh are for government and people alike", with two clauses prohibiting cultivation in the mountains and encouraging the planting of trees along riverbanks and beside dams to counter erosion, while in Kasugayama Primeval Forest (春日山原始林) in Nara, tree-felling and hunting have been forbidden since 841.
[5] Demand for timber increased with post-war reconstruction, and the area protected had significantly decreased by the late 1950s and continued to fall through the 1960s.
[1][10] As of 1 April 2018, 31 Forest Biosphere Reserves (森林生態系保護地域) have been designated, covering an area of 701,000 hectares (1,730,000 acres).
[8][11] As of 1 April 2018, 95 Biotic Community Protection Forests (生物群集保護林) have been designated, covering an area of 236,000 hectares (580,000 acres).
[8] As of 1 April 2018, 540 Rare Population Protection Forests (希少個体群保護林) have been designated, covering an area of 40,000 hectares (99,000 acres).