Manya Rathore
Research expert covering India
Agricultural sector in Japan - statistics & facts
While the agricultural sector functioned as the largest employer during the post-World War Two years, in present-day Japan, the number of commercial farm households continues to decrease. Determining factors in the decline of the agricultural sector are the shrinking workforce as workers in the agricultural industry are aging as well as the shortage of farmland in Japan, with more and more land being used for housing.
The Japanese archipelago consists of highly forested and mountainous islands, with the habitable zones centered around coastal areas. Despite Japan being densely forested, the forestry sector and the lumber industry are not well developed. Forestry in Japan is often run as a side business of establishments active in the farming industry.
As Japan is an island nation surrounded by oceans, people have traditionally taken advantage of the abundant supply of seafood. More than three thousand fishing ports are operated across the country, with marine fisheries showing the highest production output within the fishing industry.
Japan is vulnerable to natural disasters. Earthquakes, typhoons, or flooding through heavy rainfall regularly damage the agricultural industry. With the intensifying effects of climate change, the impact on the primary sector through natural disasters will likely worsen in the future.
Through the promotion of farming and rural lifestyles as touristic activities, both money and attention are flowing back into a sector that is struggling to survive. Nevertheless, the shortage of land and the aging and shrinking workforce remain the biggest threats to the Japanese agricultural sector.
Adapting to nature's peculiarities
Domestic crop production, with a traditional focus on rice, accounts for the highest output within the agricultural farming sector, while livestock farming only plays a minor role in Japan. Paddy fields are the main form of rice cultivation. Due to a shortage of plain farmland, farmers utilize terraced paddies built into mountain slopes or swampland around the country's coastlines.The Japanese archipelago consists of highly forested and mountainous islands, with the habitable zones centered around coastal areas. Despite Japan being densely forested, the forestry sector and the lumber industry are not well developed. Forestry in Japan is often run as a side business of establishments active in the farming industry.
As Japan is an island nation surrounded by oceans, people have traditionally taken advantage of the abundant supply of seafood. More than three thousand fishing ports are operated across the country, with marine fisheries showing the highest production output within the fishing industry.
Japan is vulnerable to natural disasters. Earthquakes, typhoons, or flooding through heavy rainfall regularly damage the agricultural industry. With the intensifying effects of climate change, the impact on the primary sector through natural disasters will likely worsen in the future.
How tourism revives the agricultural sector
Japan has been looking to revive its decaying rural areas for years, with limited success. Young people are drawn to the country's metropolitan areas, providing work, convenience, and a desirable, modern lifestyle. A popular mechanism used to promote rural areas is the so-called agritourism, which includes tour programs, such as farm stays. Furthermore, rural traditions and local delicacies are a popular feature of Japanese TV shows. Since each Japanese prefecture is renowned for certain agricultural products and dishes, celebrities are regularly filmed traveling the country on the hunt for highlights of regional cuisines.Through the promotion of farming and rural lifestyles as touristic activities, both money and attention are flowing back into a sector that is struggling to survive. Nevertheless, the shortage of land and the aging and shrinking workforce remain the biggest threats to the Japanese agricultural sector.
