Catharina Klein
Research expert covering Japan
Farming industry in Japan - statistics & facts
The Japanese agricultural sector accounts for around one percent of the country's GDP. Even though only about 20 percent of Japan's land area is suitable for cultivation, it is intensively farmed, with rice paddies and fields occupying most of the countryside. Farming in Japan focuses on crop production, with livestock farming only playing a minor role in agricultural activities. Known for its high-quality produce and meat, certain agricultural products are treated as items of prestige, retailing at exorbitant prices. However, the trade itself holds little appeal. Physically demanding and barely profitable, few young people are willing to inherit their parents' farms or to enter the sector as newcomers. Consequently, the age of persons engaged in farming keeps rising, as the number of commercial farm households declines. Since Japan's self-sufficiency ratio remains low, the country relies on agricultural imports to feed the nation.
The Japanese Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries established the Act of Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) in 2000, certifying organic farmland, organic plants, and organic plant-based processed foods. Since 2020, the JAS logo also verifies organic livestock products and organic animal-derived processed products, which follow the official guidelines of sustainable production, processing, labeling, and marketing.
In summary, the biggest threats to the Japanese farming industry are the shortage of land, the challenging climate to grow crops, as well as the aging workforce, and labor shortage. To solve these issues, the government is granting farmers needs-based financial support to adopt smart technologies, which are increasingly playing a role in sustainable agriculture and farming.
Sustainable farming in Japan
Organic farming is still a minor industry within the Japanese agricultural sector. The hot and humid climate during summer poses challenges to sustainable agriculture. The rainy season in early summer brings heavy rain and floods, washing away soil and slowing down root growth. The extreme heat of the following months accelerates weed growth and insect propagation. To counteract the spread of weeds and insects, chemical fertilizers are oftentimes employed, which in turn damage the soil. Soil health, however, is essential for organic farming. Yet, both the area of certified organic farmland as well as the production volume of certified organic produce in Japan have been increasing, indicating a growing demand and awareness of sustainable farming methods among the population.The Japanese Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries established the Act of Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) in 2000, certifying organic farmland, organic plants, and organic plant-based processed foods. Since 2020, the JAS logo also verifies organic livestock products and organic animal-derived processed products, which follow the official guidelines of sustainable production, processing, labeling, and marketing.
Can smart farming save Japan's agricultural sector?
In light of Japan's double threat to traditional agriculture, urbanization, and a greying agricultural workforce, the sector is turning to technological innovations. One of these is vertical farming. Artificial light and smart machinery equipment guarantee consistent output and quality throughout the year, stable prices, and neither soil nor fertilizer is needed. However, energy demand for lighting and machinery are, together with high initial costs, aspects that keep investors hesitant. Shifting to renewable energy could be a step to make vertical farming more environmentally friendly, affordable, and therefore, commercially successful.In summary, the biggest threats to the Japanese farming industry are the shortage of land, the challenging climate to grow crops, as well as the aging workforce, and labor shortage. To solve these issues, the government is granting farmers needs-based financial support to adopt smart technologies, which are increasingly playing a role in sustainable agriculture and farming.
