Japan’s agricultural structure is experiencing rapid change, and it is essential to re-evaluate the relationship between intergenerational farm transfer and agricultural structural reform. Research suggests that the structural reform of agriculture could solve the issue of farm transfer in Japan. However, a new problem has emerged under an advanced agricultural structure, with a declining birth rate that has led to fewer children taking over their family farm business. Weakening norms of agricultural engagement, equal inheritance, and the need for advanced managerial skills post-agricultural structural reform are topics that require further exploration. Even if an agricultural structural reform addresses the issues associated with a traditional agricultural structure, it remains uncertain whether these reforms can eliminate the farm transfer issue in Japan.
This study examines the problems arising from intergenerational farm transfer in an advanced agricultural structure. We aim to determine the issues associated with farm transfer in Hokkaido agriculture, which is regarded as the most advanced agricultural structure in Japan. Notably, several large-scale farm businesses are struggling to secure successors. While support for new entrants has already been established, the transfer of farm businesses and assets is complex.
The results of this study are examined from a reflexive modernity theoretical perspective. The findings indicate that fundamentally resolving the farm transfer issue in Japan under an advanced agricultural structure is challenging although piecemeal social engineering can be partially effective in alleviating the problem.
