The Origin of Japan's Protectionist Agricultural Policy: Agricultural Administration in Modern Japan

This book explores the origins of Japan's protectionist agricultural policies by examining the policies of prewar agricultural bureaucrats who played critical roles in the policymaking process. It argues that protectionist agricultural policy was not originally generated by the iron triangle but by a prewar agricultural bureaucrats policy idea called shōnō ron, which forged the necessary conditions for the emergence of the iron triangle after the end of WWII.

Format: Hardback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the historical roots of Japan's protectionist agricultural policies, spanning from the Meiji period to the end of World War II. Through an in-depth analysis of these policies, it presents a constructivist perspective on the emergence of protectionism, exploring the roles of prewar agricultural bureaucrats who played pivotal roles in shaping policymaking. The book challenges the conventional notion that the iron triangle, a political alliance comprising the Liberal Democratic Party, the Agricultural Ministry, and farmers' organizations, was solely responsible for the implementation of protectionist agricultural policies. Instead, it argues that the policy idea known as shōnō ron, or thoughts on small-scale farming, played a significant role in shaping these measures.

The book reveals that the protective measures based on shōnō ron laid the foundation for the eventual formation of the iron triangle after the end of World War II. This triangular alliance, in turn, institutionalized Japan's subsequent protectionist agricultural regime, which has had lasting impacts on the country's agricultural sector and broader economic landscape.

In examining various aspects of protectionist policy, such as its origin, the formation of actors' preferences, and the broader consequences of agricultural policy ideas, this book offers valuable insights for scholars and students of Japanese politics, agricultural policy, and political economy. It sheds light on the complex interplay between political, economic, and social factors that have shaped Japan's agricultural policies over the years, providing a rich and nuanced understanding of this critical topic.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032539423