Although significant volumes of Canada's trembling aspen resource are being used for pulp and for oriented strand board production, the species can accurately be referred to as "under-utilized" with respect to the production of solid wood products. However, aspen - a species long considered a 'weed' - has started to gain recognition in terms of potential market opportunities for value added applications. This project has served as a follow-up to an earlier study that investigated market opportunites for trembling aspen in Canada. That report (Gaston, 2002) identified several promising marketing opportunities for aspen lumber and specialty products. While market opportunities were identified in all three specified geographic jurisdictions (Japan, Europe and the US), the area recognized as having the most promising potential for high-valued products was Japan - a market where aspen's light colour, lack of grain and light-weight were highly regarded and appreciated. The primary objective of this study was to further explore the Japanese market with intent on achieving a clearer understanding of whether or not: a) the aspen resource can be economically converted to the products desired in the marketplace, and b) sufficient volume of high quality aspen timber can be made available.