The Japanese Forestry Agency is focusing its efforts on the cultivation of Elite Trees, which have been selectively bred to grow 1.5 times faster than conventional trees, dramatically shortening the time it takes to harvest the trees. Elite trees are currently attracting attention from a decarbonization perspective as well. According to the Forestry Agency, more than half of Japan's planted forests are already over 50 years old, and those older trees will also absorb less CO2. Seedlings of Elite Trees, however, will absorb more CO2 than normal trees because of their fast growth rate. The government has set a national goal of increasing the percentage of forestry seedlings that are Elite Tree and other trees to more than 30% by 2030, and to more than 90% by 2050.