The rapid decline of Japan’s agricultural workforce is threatening its ability to maintain stable food production.
Against this backdrop, the country is aiming to maximise the use of all of its farmland, including every rice paddy, to safeguard long-term food security.
The policy direction was pledged by the Liberal Democratic Party during the recent House of Representatives election, supported by Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Norikazu Suzuki.
Speaking to the press on February 13, Suzuki explained the intention to move away from a subsidy system focused specifically on paddy field use and instead consider support measures tied to productivity improvements for individual crop.
“As the number of people engaged in agriculture continues to decline further in the coming years, I believe that in order to ensure a stable food supply, it is necessary to make effective use of farmland and maintain and expand agricultural production.
“To this end, while implementing intensive measures for agricultural structural transformation, we are considering converting the direct payment subsidies for paddy field utilisation, which currently provide support specifically for paddy fields, into support aimed at improving productivity for each crop, regardless of whether it is grown on paddy fields or upland fields, and thereby promoting the full utilisation of all farmland.”
Staple rice under review
While staple rice is currently excluded from the scheme, Suzuki said internal deliberations are under way as part of a broader policy review scheduled from fiscal year 2027 onwards.
“We are currently considering it based on the recognition that it is important to ensure food security into the future, given the rapid decline in the number of rice farmers, and we would like to indicate the direction as soon as possible to create an environment in which discussions can take place.”
Suzuki refuted arguments that the plan to full utilise all rice paddies conflicted with Japan’s long-standing emphasis on demand-based production, warning that it could imply excess output.
“Fully utilising all farmland requires expanding demand for rice for staple consumption, rice flour, and exports. At the same time, rice production will be aligned with the demand for each category. Additionally, other paddy fields and upland fields will be used to grow crops such as wheat and soybeans, which Japan relies on heavily through imports. By producing these domestically, we aim to further strengthen overall food security, so I do not see any contradiction in this approach.”
Support for disadvantaged regions
The government is also placing renewed emphasis on mountainous and hilly regions, which account for around 40 per cent of Japan’s cultivated land area and farming households.
These areas face structural disadvantages and have experienced persistent farm abandonment and community decline.
“We intend to consider this together with a review of paddy field policies, taking into account the opinions of those working hard in mountainous and hilly regions, so that those working hard in these regions will be able to continue farming, earning a living, and making a living in the future,” said Suzuki.
These mountainous and semi-mountainous areas have been designated as priority “defensive” zones, with a working group to examine targeted measures.
Suzuki said: “While the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan has implemented policies up until now, the reality is that people have been giving up on farming, particularly in mountainous and semi-mountainous areas, and communities have been disappearing. I would like to make efforts to review the policy so that this does not continue in the future and that a halt can be put in place at some point.”
