Becoming a Farmer in Contemporary Japan

This book explores the possibilities of agrarian and land-based modes of livelihood in contemporary Japan, documenting the mounting problem of land and house abandonment, the role of agriculture in revitalizing rural communities, and the transformation of Japans agrifood system. It provides an in-depth insight into pro-rural migration in the face of Japans shrinking regions and declining agricultural sector.

Format: Hardback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Based on extensive ethnographic fieldwork conducted within an agricultural cooperative that operates a training program for aspiring farmers, this book delves into the potentialities of agrarian and land-based modes of livelihood in contemporary Japan. The book is structured around the four primary challenges faced by new agricultural entrants: securing land and housing, acquiring farming expertise, accessing capital, and establishing market outlets. Fresh perspectives are brought to bear on agricultural issues by new farmers, offering a unique vantage point over the institutions that shape rural and agricultural life. The book meticulously documents the escalating issue of land and house abandonment in regional Japan, the crucial role of agriculture in revitalizing rural communities, and the profound transformation of Japan's agrifood system. By examining agricultural policy, farming practices, and fresh food distribution from a comparative perspective, this book sheds new light on the processes of agrarian change in developed market economies, avoiding the reinforcement of Japan's exceptionalism.

Providing a comprehensive exploration into pro-rural migration in response to Japan's shrinking regions and declining agricultural sector, this book holds immense value for students and scholars of Japanese society, agrarian policy, and rural sociology.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032487052