Abstract
In 2006, a positive list system related to agrochemicals was enforced in Japan. This system is affecting the usage of agrochemicals in Japanese farm operation. In this paper, the author investigates the usage and awareness of agrochemicals by farmers in an urban area, based on opinions and data collected by semi-structured interviews with responding farmers. Unban farmers have to use agrochemicals while paying attention to various stakeholders. The agro-cooperative has great importance on the distribution and information access of agrochemicals. Customers have an interest in whether the farm uses the chemicals or not, but most customers also assent to the explanation by the farm sector concerning the chemical usage. The minor crop issue is imposing a strong restriction to the farmers trying to introduce new varieties.
