This thesis examines the diverse perspectives of stakeholders in sustainable forest management and the co-production of knowledge through collaborative efforts. Existing literature has proved the complex interrelations among a wide range of stakeholders, including landowners, government entities, forestry households, industries, residents, and environ mentalists, emphasising the need to understand their viewpoints for effective management.

The study focuses on Japan's Forestry Policy Council, analysing the council's meetings to assess the distinct pathways each stakeholder group advocates and how they co-produce knowledge, particularly through the active involvement of academia.

The findings reveal varied pathways promoted by different stakeholders, with institutional stakeholders like the Forestry Agency pushing for comprehensive policies, while industrial stakeholders seek economic viability, and civil society organisation stakeholders prioritise environmental sustainability.

The present author underscores the significance of academic involvement in policy development for sustainable forestry, given their capacity for long-term, integrative perspectives that meld scientific knowledge with public interests.