Abstract
Japanese farming entities were characterized as family farms for a long time. Recently, however, family farms are relativized in the context of the diversification of types of farming entities. The definition of family farms has become vague despite agricultural policies to promote the establishment of vital family farms as a new structural policy target. We can observe the polarization of farming entities ranging from large scale farm businesses to small and rather small scale family farms throughout the world.
In this symposium, we discussed first the changing internal and external factors of Japanese family farms. Second, we pointed out the roles and significance of family to farming business. Third, several features regarding the future of Japanese family farm are argued. Fourth, we presented the problems of family farms in a globalized economy.
