How did Tokugawa Ieyasu contribute to deforestation?

Answer 1

Tokugawa Ieyasu contributed to deforestation in Japan primarily through the expansion of agricultural land and the establishment of centralized governance. His policies encouraged increased rice production to support the growing population and stabilize the economy, leading to the clearing of forests for farmland. Furthermore, the construction of infrastructure, such as roads and castles, further exacerbated deforestation as timber resources were heavily exploited. These actions laid the groundwork for significant environmental changes during the Edo period.