The 3rd International Mini Symposium on Wood Science was held on 15 March 2026 in Hiroshima, Japan, as part of the 2025 academic year activities. The symposium was jointly organized by the Wood Organization and Properties Research Group of the Japan Wood Research Society (JWRS), with the co-sponsorship of the International Association of Wood Anatomists (IAWA) and support from the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS).

The symposium was conducted in a hybrid format, combining on-site and online participation. A total of 102 participants attended the event, including 76 on-site participants and 26 online participants. In addition to participants from Japan, researchers from Indonesia, Brazil, and Malaysia also attended the symposium, making it an important venue for international academic exchange.

The primary objective of the symposium was to present recent developments in wood resources and wood science research in Southeast Asia, a region currently experiencing rapid environmental, economic, and institutional changes. Through invited lectures and active discussions, participants exchanged perspectives on current research trends, emerging challenges, and future opportunities for advancing wood science and strengthening international collaboration.

The symposium opened with a welcoming address by Professor Awano (Kyoto University), the Representative Secretary of the Wood Organization and Properties Research Group. This was followed by an introductory statement outlining the objectives of the symposium by Dr. Abe (JIRCAS), the Deputy Executive Secretary of IAWA and a member of the JWRS International Committee.

Introductory statement by Dr. Hisashi Abe

Lecture by Professor Widyanto Dwi Nugroho

The scientific program began with a lecture by Professor Widyanto Dwi Nugroho of Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia, who provided an overview of recent trends in wood science research and the wood industry in Indonesia. The second invited lecture was delivered by Dr. Nguyen Tu Kim of the Vietnam Academy of Forest Sciences, who discussed wood trade governance and management, with a focus on policy frameworks and case studies from Vietnam. The final lecture was presented by Dr. Kiyosada Kawai (JIRCAS), who introduced research on environmental responses and the diversity of wood properties among forest tree species in Southeast Asia.

At the closing session, Professor Yamazaki (Nagoya University), the Chair of the JWRS International Committee, delivered concluding remarks. She noted that the symposium offered a valuable opportunity to share recent research findings and diverse viewpoints on tropical Asian wood resources, and emphasized the importance of further strengthening international cooperation in wood science research.

The symposium concluded successfully with lively discussions and meaningful exchanges, reaffirming its role as an important forum for advancing wood anatomy and wood science research in an international context.