I know this is a long shot, but back around 2005 or thereabouts I read a book in English by a gaijin (US, UK or Australian?) author about Japan's environmental policies that led to planting massive amounts of cedar trees, installing concrete riverbanks, placing die-shaped concrete blocks on beaches, etc. I suspect it's no longer in print, but I'd like to locate a used copy if I can. I'll start by trying to remember the title or author's name, if anyone knows! Thank you for your help.
Edit: Thanks to /r/japan and two great search wizards, I have the title – Dogs and Demons by Alex Kerr. Cheers!
by texasstorm