Geographic indications applied to forest products; Japanese IWATE CHARCOAL

Abstract

We review the current status of the wood products under the framework of Geographical Indications (GIs) in Japan and also in international contexts. In concrete terms, IWATE CHARCOAL was the first wood related products registered under the current Japanese system. We analyzed the motives, application process, difficulties including the description of charcoal quality at the application phase and agreement of quality control.