Social conditions often impact young people’s career selection. In Japan, the economic recession caused by the 2008 Financial Crisis and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake had a serious impact on the labor market. In this study, I conducted a case study of 6 young farmers who have been engaged in farming triggered by the restrictions in career selection. First, I analyzed their career paths. The results showed that, although they did not start farming with positive motives, they have been engaged in farming up to the present. Next, I applied the theory of Yoshimi Sugimura’s work values to analyze how they found their motives for farming. The results showed that they did not aim to do farming only for self-actualization, but they found redemption in their business association and social relationships with others including their local community. In conclusion, this study clarified that young farmers can become established in farming by shaping their work values based on their business association and social relationships, even though they did not start farming with positive motives.
